A new survey has found that 84% of people in Ireland are concerned about the ongoing cost-of-living crisis, with fewer than 15% believing the Government is taking sufficient action to ease the burden.
The Ipsos B&A poll, commissioned by the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission (IHREC), questioned 1,243 adults. Nearly half of respondents said they worried they would struggle to cover basic household expenses over the next 12 months.
IHREC said the results point to economic inequality “eroding trust” in society, with only 13% of people believing that wealth in Ireland is fairly shared. By contrast, almost three-quarters said it is not.
Despite this, 80% of respondents agreed that everyone should be treated equally regardless of background—although this figure has slipped each year, from 85% in 2023 and 84% in 2024. IHREC warned that the downward trend, while still showing strong public support for equality, is “a clear cause for concern.”
Public confidence in anti-discrimination efforts also appears weak. Four in ten respondents said measures to tackle discrimination in Ireland are effective, a finding the Commission described as evidence of “a crisis of confidence” in political and institutional leadership.
Rising reports of racism and discrimination
The survey recorded a rise in racist incidents. Fourteen percent of the population reported experiencing racism in the past year, up from 10% in 2024. Among non-white Irish respondents, the figure surged to 66%, meaning two in three experienced racism directly in the past 12 months.
Disabled people also reported greater discrimination, with 16% saying they faced unfair treatment—an increase of six points on last year. In the 18–24 age group, 37% said they had witnessed disability-based discrimination.
“Ireland pulled in two directions”
IHREC chief commissioner Liam Herrick said the findings paint a stark picture.
“On one hand, we see growing inequality and more reports of discrimination. On the other, we still find a strong commitment to fairness, solidarity, and justice,” he said.
“The lived experiences behind these figures are sobering. They show adults shut out of jobs, children bullied in schools, and neighbours harassed in their own communities. They reveal an Ireland where the promise of equality is slipping further out of reach.”
Mr Herrick called for decisive political leadership to reverse the trends.
“Economic inequality, racism, and democratic erosion are not inevitable. They are the results of policy and political choices. But they can be challenged—and changed—through courage, action, and solidarity,” he said.
A new survey has found that 84% of people in Ireland are concerned about the ongoing cost-of-living crisis, with fewer than 15% believing the Government is taking sufficient action to ease the burden.
The Ipsos B&A poll, commissioned by the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission (IHREC), questioned 1,243 adults. Nearly half of respondents said they worried they would struggle to cover basic household expenses over the next 12 months.
IHREC said the results point to economic inequality “eroding trust” in society, with only 13% of people believing that wealth in Ireland is fairly shared. By contrast, almost three-quarters said it is not.
Despite this, 80% of respondents agreed that everyone should be treated equally regardless of background—although this figure has slipped each year, from 85% in 2023 and 84% in 2024. IHREC warned that the downward trend, while still showing strong public support for equality, is “a clear cause for concern.”
Public confidence in anti-discrimination efforts also appears weak. Four in ten respondents said measures to tackle discrimination in Ireland are effective, a finding the Commission described as evidence of “a crisis of confidence” in political and institutional leadership.
Rising reports of racism and discrimination
The survey recorded a rise in racist incidents. Fourteen percent of the population reported experiencing racism in the past year, up from 10% in 2024. Among non-white Irish respondents, the figure surged to 66%, meaning two in three experienced racism directly in the past 12 months.
Disabled people also reported greater discrimination, with 16% saying they faced unfair treatment—an increase of six points on last year. In the 18–24 age group, 37% said they had witnessed disability-based discrimination.
“Ireland pulled in two directions”
IHREC chief commissioner Liam Herrick said the findings paint a stark picture.
“On one hand, we see growing inequality and more reports of discrimination. On the other, we still find a strong commitment to fairness, solidarity, and justice,” he said.
“The lived experiences behind these figures are sobering. They show adults shut out of jobs, children bullied in schools, and neighbours harassed in their own communities. They reveal an Ireland where the promise of equality is slipping further out of reach.”
Mr Herrick called for decisive political leadership to reverse the trends.
“Economic inequality, racism, and democratic erosion are not inevitable. They are the results of policy and political choices. But they can be challenged—and changed—through courage, action, and solidarity,” he said.