Working parents have been the hardest hit by consecutive harsh budgets and austerity.
According
to new research from the Economic and Social Research Institute,
households where both parents work have seen the biggest squeeze, with a
13% drop in disposable income since the recession took hold.
Women
have fared worse, suffering a 15% drop - due partly to a 25% cut to
child benefit over the five-year period from 2009 to 2013. Child benefit
is usually received by mothers.
The ESRI report also found that women were hit harder by adjustments to tax, welfare and public sector pay, because a higher proportion of women work in the pubic service and are more likely to be in receipt of a carers' allowance.
*New research has found that women have been hardest hit by austerity measures over the past four years.
The ESRI report also found that women were hit harder by adjustments to tax, welfare and public sector pay, because a higher proportion of women work in the pubic service and are more likely to be in receipt of a carers' allowance.
*New research has found that women have been hardest hit by austerity measures over the past four years.
The study, published today by the Economic and Social Research
Institute and the Equality Authority, examined the effect of Budgets
between 2009 and 2013 on men and women.
The report found that the impact of austerity measures in recent years on single women and men of working age, including public-sector pay cuts as well as tax and welfare changes were broadly similar, with average losses in disposable income of close to 10%.
There were losses of about 5% for single people of retirement age.
Couples of working age lost, on average, 12% of disposable income, while retired couples lost just over 4%.
Women in relationships saw sharper losses in individual disposable income compared with men at all income levels, about 14% for women and 9% for men.
According to the ESRI, a key factor is the reduction in Child Benefit payments, which are typically received by mothers.
Public-sector pay changes and other social welfare reductions also had a stronger effect on women.
The report found that the impact of austerity measures in recent years on single women and men of working age, including public-sector pay cuts as well as tax and welfare changes were broadly similar, with average losses in disposable income of close to 10%.
Couples of working age lost, on average, 12% of disposable income, while retired couples lost just over 4%.
Women in relationships saw sharper losses in individual disposable income compared with men at all income levels, about 14% for women and 9% for men.
According to the ESRI, a key factor is the reduction in Child Benefit payments, which are typically received by mothers.
Public-sector pay changes and other social welfare reductions also had a stronger effect on women.
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