Austerity, gender and inequality - post recession Ireland?

Abstract

Because of the persistent nature of economic disadvantage – and its gendered nature - inequality deepened over the crisis years in Ireland. This process has only partially been reversed. A central reason for the continuing high levels of gendered inequality is the absence of, or chronically low level of investment in public services, combined with a lack of political and corporate responsibility for urgently needed social infrastructure on care. This is linked to deeply embedded structural inequalities on the basis of social class, ethnicity, disability as well as gender. Ireland is a highly unequal society and specific minorities, have consistently been discriminated against and disadvantaged before, during and after the recent economic crisis. Within each of these groups or sectors, women face multiple forms of disadvantage and discrimination.