[broken link removed]
Any comments on this?
€650pw required for a family of 4?
A few points stuck me:
20 to 25% of the budget was on Social inclusion including pets, holidays, sports memberships, socialising, tobacco & alcohol
The costs appear to be arrived at by looking at what people actually spend on what are deemed essentials. After a decade long boom and in the absence of Aldi/Lidl having 100% market share, it's safe to say people still spend more than they need to on essentials.
Food is the largest element of expenditure, up to €70+ for individuals in certain categories. The report makes no investigation into a basket of goods from a no frills supermarket that would satisfy a minimum living standard, rather (as above) relying on actual spending habits.
There's no great explanation for €2k p.a. in communications costs for a family of 4. That would probably pay the bills for 4 iphones and a landline broadband. Is this a basic minimum?
Given the authors, was the conclusion decided in advance?
Why is the state funding this?
Why are trinity putting their name to this?
I'd personally love to see a serious national debate on this. My opinion would be that it would far more constructive to produce a report on how a family of 4 could live off €400pw than pursue a misguided agenda implying that you cannot enjoy a basic standard of living for a family of 4 unless you have an income well above the national average.
Any comments on this?
€650pw required for a family of 4?
A few points stuck me:
20 to 25% of the budget was on Social inclusion including pets, holidays, sports memberships, socialising, tobacco & alcohol
The costs appear to be arrived at by looking at what people actually spend on what are deemed essentials. After a decade long boom and in the absence of Aldi/Lidl having 100% market share, it's safe to say people still spend more than they need to on essentials.
Food is the largest element of expenditure, up to €70+ for individuals in certain categories. The report makes no investigation into a basket of goods from a no frills supermarket that would satisfy a minimum living standard, rather (as above) relying on actual spending habits.
There's no great explanation for €2k p.a. in communications costs for a family of 4. That would probably pay the bills for 4 iphones and a landline broadband. Is this a basic minimum?
Given the authors, was the conclusion decided in advance?
Why is the state funding this?
Why are trinity putting their name to this?
I'd personally love to see a serious national debate on this. My opinion would be that it would far more constructive to produce a report on how a family of 4 could live off €400pw than pursue a misguided agenda implying that you cannot enjoy a basic standard of living for a family of 4 unless you have an income well above the national average.