Author: ATD Ireland

ATD Ireland welcomes in targeted measures for families living in poverty and dependent on social welfare payments to meet the cost of their weakly expenses - in particular €8 euro increase in the qualified child, under 12, payment and the €16 increase in the qualified child, over 12, payment.However, it is disappointing to see that the core social welfare adult payments have been increased by only €10. In order to reduce the level of child poverty, it is necessary to ensure that the total family incomes is adequate to meet the weekly cost of a minimum essential standard of living (MESL).…

On Monday, ATD Ireland carried out the final out of three session with a group of Trinity College Social Work students. A continuation of a journey we’ve been sharing over the past year.The morning began with a clip from ATD Ireland’s “Community Conversations – #Addthe10th” film, raising a critical question:“Why aren’t people protected against socio-economic discrimination in Irish equality legislation?”Some students later reflected that they had not fully understood what socio-economic discrimination meant until now. Why the Poverty Aware Practice Project Matters ATD Ireland Activists then stood up in front of the class and shared why the Poverty Awareness Project is…

Throughout my seven-week internship at ATD Ireland, I gained a profound understanding of the importance of the space we create, particularly for newcomers, whether they be volunteers, interns, or students. Something unique and vital is provided by the ATD community: a setting where individuals with and without lived experiences of poverty can interact as equals, exchange stories, work together, and gain knowledge from one another. It is a place where people belong, not just where they work or serve.I could tell right away from my first open house day that this was not your average NGO or service-oriented environment. The weekly…

The Add the 10th Alliance Calls on Government to Add Socio Economic Status as a Ground to Equality Legislation Thursday 17th July: The opportunity is now available to address the concern of rising discrimination against people based on their socio-economic status, according to the Add the 10th Alliance.Speaking at the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Children and Equality today, Andrew Kelly, community activist with ATD Ireland and member of the Alliance, spoke on the impacts of unfair treatment he faced due to his socio-economic status. This discrimination comes with no protection in our legislation, despite it being one of the most common…

ATD Ireland welcome the opportunity to make a submission for Budget 2026.  We write this pre- budget submission after a consultation with the ATD Ireland community, including those with lived experience of poverty. This was done as part of our new 'Wall of Issues' project funded by Coalition 2030. The 'Wall of issues' involves the photolanguage methodology.  A number of pictures and words are cut out from recent newspapers and spread out on the table.  These pictures are meant to represent a wide variety of social issues.  ATD Ireland members including Community Activists, team members, volunteers and friends picked images which struck them as…

On Wednesday 21st May the Amendment to the Equality Legislation was discussed in the Seanad.  This included the addition of socio- economic status as ground of discrimination.  Unfortunately Seanad members voted to suspend the amendment for another 12 months.  It was not the result we wanted but hope not lost.  ATD Ireland were invited to view the Seanad debate, along with other members of the #Addthe10th alliance. Thank you to Senator Chris Andrews for inviting us to view the debate and vote.  Thank you to ATD Ireland Community Activists and the #addthe10th alliance for their continued, tireless work on the campaign to end…

In October, as a member of the International 17th October Committee Community Activist Andrew travelled to Dakar, Senegal. The October 17th Committee and ATD Fourth World organised an international roundtable “I WAS BORN — I EXIST — ADD ME TO THE LIST”. This event highlighted the consequences for many who do not have access to legal identity documents. The meeting in Dakar involved a meeting with the mayor of Grand Yoff, a hybrid webinar conference and thereafter a Declaration at Goree Island."My name is Andrew last October I went to a place called Dakar, Senegal in Africa.  The flight over, I…

A Reflection from Ruby – From Volunteer to Team Member My name is Ruby, and I am a new team member at ATD Ireland. My journey began as an intern and volunteer, where I quickly fell in love with the work and values of ATD. This experience inspired me to stay on longer term. From the moment I stepped into the office in Mount Joy Square, I felt an immediate sense of warmth and belonging. The team, volunteers, friends and Community Activists created a space thriving with collaboration, inclusivity, and a shared purpose.ATD Ireland provides a safe environment to learn without…

On Thursday 15th May 2025, ATD Ireland held our 2024 Annual General Meeting in our office and on Zoom.  We also officially publish our 2024 Annual Report.  Click here or the picture below to read in full. Our wonderful Chairperson Juliette welcomed everyone to the meeting, confirmed the members in attendance, proxies and apologies. We presented the 2024 Annual Report, including some key actions.  Alongside our key projects and actions, our annual report aims to also showcase our commitment to efficient and proper governance within our organisation.Our 2024 annual report this year is structured around our Strategic Goals, alongside our ATD…

On Wednesday we held a public event to showcase our Leave No One Behind Series 4 exhibition and promote the launch of our Series 5 conversations.  The event took place in Unit18 Trinity in the Community, next to Pearse St.  Also on the day we held a series of interactive workshops with students as part of series 5 and as an extension of our poverty aware practice module. Mary Colcough Coordinator Unit18 welcomed everyone to the event spoke also on the importance of collaborative project and value and potential of spaces such as Unit18.“Unit18 is the first dedicated physical space provided…