Just over 40 per cent of adults say they are willing to support higher taxation in order to fund improved public services, according to an opinion poll published today.
The survey, carried out by market research agency Behaviour & Attitudes on behalf of the Tasc think-tank, also indicates that the vast majority of people believe the distribution of wealth in Ireland is unfair.
In addition, the survey suggests that most people (67 per cent) believe issues to do with social justice, work-life balance and happiness are the most important factor in measuring a country's performance. This compares with 21 per cent who say economic growth is the most important factor.
The survey results are based on a national sample of 1,000 respondents between April 11th -22nd of this year.
Launching the survey results, the director of Tasc Paula Clancy said the results showed the majority of people feel equality is a very important issue.
"Inequality has become endemic in Ireland, and during the boom years there were those – such as former PD leader Michael McDowell – who avowed that inequality was an inevitable by-product of economic growth," she said.
"It is clear from our survey that the vast majority of Irish people disagree with that view. On the contrary, they view equality and social justice as central to our performance as a country."
She also said it was clear that the numbers prepared to pay for higher taxes in return for improved public services has grown dramatically over the last five years. The rise in numbers is particularly evident among higher earners who are among those most likely (50 per cent) to support paying higher taxes.
"This is particularly marked among higher income groups – those best able to afford increased taxes. Our findings dovetail with the recently published Red-C poll, which showed that 62 per cent of respondents would prefer tax increases to cuts in the health and education budgets," she said.
In the poll itself, the question of whether respondents would pay higher taxes for better public services was worded as follows: "Compared to many other EU countries, the quality and level of public services, such as transport, health, education, social security and pensions in Ireland, is extremely low. How willing would you be to support higher taxation in order to achieve the quality of public services that Countries like Sweden have?"