Goretti Horgan

The government must do more to break the cycle of poverty here – that was the message from a leading academic at the launch of new poverty research today.

Goretti Horgan, from the University of Ulster, teamed up with the Bogside/Brandywell Women’s Group, to investigate the problem’s facing mothers and young people in the most disadvantaged parts of Northern Ireland.

The research found that despite the government’s policy of “more and better jobs”, especially for women, the reality is that there has been little job creation outside of Belfast – and the jobs that are available are of poor quality.

Report author, Goretti Horgan, from the University of Ulster said: “ There are very important policy messages coming out of this research that government cannot ignore. The cost of living, especially of food and fuel, is much more expensive in Northern Ireland than anywhere else in the UK - yet benefit levels are no higher and wages are far lower. The impact of this on mothers trying to make ends meet is the starkest message of all.

“The quality of the jobs available to women who are re-entering the labour market are often poor with inflexible working hours, unsuitable for family life. For these young people the insecurity and lack of prospects for advancement are major disincentives to employment.

“It is important for government to recognise that its policies impact on each other and it does seem that privatisation and out-sourcing is having a damaging effect on the quality of jobs traditionally held by women.”

Roisin Barton from Bogside/Brandywell Women’s Group said:  “Unfortunately many of these findings are not surprising to us because we see this poverty every day. We know the stress, isolation and depression that many women suffer because of it. It is however important to have those realities confirmed by authoritative research because it means policy makers are now more likely to listen.

“This research clearly shows the importance of community-based women’s groups in helping to counteract the worst effects of poverty, isolation and depression. The government is trying to get 70 percent of women into paid work. This research shows that many of its current policies work against that target, while women’s groups are providing exactly the kind of support needed by women if it is to be met.”

“One of the issues raised in the research is that many mothers, especially lone mothers, need to work - because benefits are so low - but employers are often not family-friendly and the only jobs available have long hours, leaving mothers little time to spend with their children – which can result in more problems. It seems we can’t win.”

For further information, please contact:

Trina Porter
Telephone: 028 71675511
Email: Trina Porter