Workers make up more than a quarter of people at risk of living in poverty in Ireland, a new study has revealed.

Over one quarter of people who are at risk of poverty are in full-time work, new research by Social Justice Ireland has found.

In total, the study found there are 145,000 at risk of poverty and on Breakfast Briefing, SJI spokesperson Susanne Rogers said that many working people are struggling to afford basic expenses. 

"When you have a conversation about poverty or social welfare, the reply is always ‘go get a job’," she said.

"A lot of households and a lot of families on low earnings are really struggling to put the basics on the table."

Workers account for more than a quarter of people in poverty. Over time poverty figures for those in employment, the working poor, have remained more-or-less static, reflecting a persistent problem with low earnings. https://t.co/g3RzBSbV64 pic.twitter.com/1gV1b0JOj4

— Social Justice Ireland (@SocialJusticeI) November 19, 2024

Ms Rogers said anyone living on less than €318 per week is at risk of poverty.

To help understand why so many employed people are affected, Ms Rogers said it is important to look at the types of jobs people are working.

"A job should really pay a living wage and it should offer decent conditions to workers," she said.

The analyst said there is also a gendered element to poverty - with women at far greater risk.

"We see women trying to cover caring duties as well as work and that tends to push a lot of women into part-time work and that tends to be lower-paid," she said.

Precarious work may also play a factor in the poverty figures.

"The gig economy is on the rise, and we're seeing a push towards precarious jobs in the retail, hotel and security sector," she said.

"Those tend to be quite low-paid."

Living wage

Ms Rogers said to address workers at risk of poverty, the minimum wage should be changed to a living wage, which is €14.75 per hour, according to Social Justice Ireland.

"The living wage is a clearer indication of what it actually costs to be able to provide for the basics," she said.

"[A living wage] allows people to not go into arrears with their electricity or their gas for the winter.

"It allows them to not have to look for high cost credit to get through something like the Christmas period.

"It allows them to put nutritious food on the table seven days a week as opposed to five days a week."

A couple looks over their finances together, 2009, Alamy.

Ms Rogers also stressed the long-term health impacts of poverty.

"Poverty limits your choices and if your choices are limited it makes you more vulnerable," she said.

She said when in poverty, people live shorter, less healthier lives, and this needs to be addressed.

Featured image: A man counts his coins as he budgets, Alamy, 2024.