Women Hit Hardest By Austerity

Women have been hit hardest by budget cuts and austerity in Ireland, according to new research from the Economic and Social Research Institute.

The stats how that 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. The research says this is due in part to a 25% cut to child benefit over the five-year period from 2009 to 2013.

Child benefit is commonly received by mothers.

But the report also found that women were hit harder by adjustments to tax, welfare and public sector pay, due to the fact that a higher proportion of women work in public service and are more likely to be in receipt of a carers' allowance.

(IT/CD)