The challenge of coping with a recession without the "safety valve of emigration" has been highlighted by the Irish Commission for Justice and Social Affairs (ICJSA).
A new publication, In the Wake of the Celtic Tiger:Poverty in Contemporary Ireland, which was developed in collaboration with the St Vincent de Paul Society (SVP), was launched by the ICJSA today.
SVP national vice president, Prof John Monaghan, said the traditional option for Irish people of seeking work in countries such as the UK, Australia and Canada had become less feasible in a global economic downturn.
"The safety valve of emigration isn't quite as open as it was before," he said.
Prof Monaghan said sections of the Irish media had been "sneering at the idea that poverty even existed" for years. However, he had visited many houses where families were "living on cornflakes" at the end of the week.
He also focused on the plight of the "coping poor" who "pay for everything and qualify for nothing".
The ICJSA's document calls on Government to increase school capitation grants to eliminate the need for parental contributions, "thereby providing equal education opportunities to all children".
It says the incomes of those who become unemployed must be protected, and social welfare payments must be accessible without delay.
The threshold for medical card eligibility should be reviewed and a 'cost of disability' payment should be introduced.
The ICJSA is also calling for a strategy to address and prevent fuel poverty. It says social housing should be allocated in a way that promotes socio-economic and ethnic diversity to prevent the "ghettoisation" of communities.
The transport infrastructure and service provision in rural communities should be re-examined to combat a growing sense of isolation, according to the organisation.
Meanwhile, affordable childcare facilities should be provided in communities to alleviate the burden on families experiencing poverty, despite the fact that both parents may be in paid employment.
And the marginalised position of the Traveller community should be addressed by promoting the integration of Traveller children in the education system.
ICJSA chairman, Bishop Raymond Field, said the organisation was mindful that its new document was being published against a backdrop of growing economic uncertainty.
"Every day brings further job losses with the ensuing devastating consequences for the individuals, families and communities affected," he said.
"While we acknowledge the many pressures on Government and the need for difficult decisions at a time of economic crisis, the needs of the most vulnerable must not be ignored."
The Bishop paid tribute to the contribution of community and voluntary organisations working to eradicate poverty, particularly the SVP. "I hope that this important work will continue to be well supported financially, particularly in this time of economic crisis," he said.
Sr Ethna Regan, a member of the ICJSA's advisory board, said the Celtic Tiger had insulated many Irish people from contact with poverty.
However, she warned that poverty alleviation was not a luxury for prosperous times.
"Many people are completely unaware of just how bleak life is in the poorer areas of the country," she said.
Sr Regan said poverty in Ireland was a complex issue which was "morally reprehensible and economically damaging".
