Inequality in Focus: Highlights from The State We Are In Launch
The launch of the TASC Inequality Report 2025 brought together author and TASC Senior Economist Oisín Gilmore with a panel of experts to discuss the ongoing challenges of inequality, poverty, and material deprivation in Ireland. A standout feature of this year’s report is a special chapter examining how poverty and social exclusion contribute to loneliness and poor mental health—issues that affect people across diverse demographic groups in Irish society.
Held on Tuesday, 24 June 2025, at the Irish Architectural Archive, the event featured panelists Gillian Brien, CEO of Swan Regional Youth Service; Joanna McHugh Power, Associate Professor of Psychology at Maynooth University; Deborah Costello, Friends of the Elderly Ireland; and Susanne Rogers, Research & Policy Analyst at Social Justice Ireland.
The event opened with remarks from TASC Board Chair Mike Jennings, who emphasised the mission and value of TASC- Think-tank for Action on Social Change. Stressing the word action, he reminded the audience that while TASC conducts vital research, meaningful progress depends on the engagement, advocacy, and support of its wider community.
Following this powerful introduction, Oisín Gilmore presented an overview of the 2025 report, highlighting the key findings. He began with data illustrating how income remains heavily concentrated among the top 10% and top 1%, while the bottom 50% receive a disproportionately smaller share. He also examined income distribution, at-risk-of-poverty rates, and enforced deprivation rates across demographic groups, identifying those most vulnerable to poverty—including people under 18 and over 65, the unemployed, those unable to work due to long-standing health problems, lone parents/one adult households, people with low levels of education, and renters
Oisín then turned to the report’s special chapter on Inequality, Isolation and Loneliness, co-authored with Adeelia Goffe and Maria Pachowicz, which explores how loneliness is shaped by underlying economic and social conditions—particularly affecting already marginalised groups, including older people, those experiencing homelessness, individuals with chronic illnesses or disabilities, carers, ethnic minorities, and children and young people.
Wrapping up with his overview of the report, Oisín concluded with eight key recommendations, outlining actionable steps to address inequality and work toward a more inclusive society.
Following the report overview, the four panelists each shared their reactions to the Inequality Report, focusing in particular on how loneliness and social exclusion affect the specific demographics they work with. Their insights offered a powerful and personal complement to the data presented in the report, highlighting how inequality and isolation manifest across different sectors—from youth services and elder care to policy and psychological research.
The event concluded with a brief Q&A session, followed by closing remarks from Mike Jennings. Thank you to our panelists and all who attended the launch of The State We Are In: Inequality in Ireland 2025. Your engagement and support are vital to advancing the conversation on building a more just and inclusive society.