One of the main targets in the Europe 2020 Strategy is to lift 20 million people out of poverty and reduce those living below the poverty line by 25%; as part of achieving this target Member States are asked to set national targets based on appropriate indicators.

Host Country : Ireland

Place and date : Dublin, 16. - 17.6.2011

Peer countries : Belgium - Bulgaria - Croatia - Finland - Latvia - Malta - Norway - Romania - Slovakia - United Kingdom

Stakeholders : EAPN, ESN

This Peer Review provides the context for examining the process by which different countries choose the components of their indicators, how these relate to EU indicators, the logistics of monitoring and integrating them with other policies and so on. The overall aim is to improve understanding of the multiple causes of poverty, improve techniques for identifying those who are most at-risk and finding more effective ways to combat poverty, which is particularly of concern in the context of tight constraints on public finances as a result of the crisis. In addition to supporting national level reform, this Peer Review will assist with on-going work at EU level on poverty indicators and targets.

Ireland's national poverty strategy provides examples of good practice as regards the setting of poverty targets. In particular, Ireland merged two separate indicators to create an innovative measure of poverty for those most in need in 1997 and disaggregated the target group, setting individual targets for vulnerable groups over the lifecycle in 2002 and 2007.

Peer Review manager

Ms Renate Haupfleisch (ÖSB Consulting GmbH)