The gender impact of Irish budgetary policy 2008-2018

Changes to the tax and benefit system between 2008 and 2018 led to greater income reductions for women than for men, according to recent ESRI research funded by the Parliamentary Budget Office. Gender differences in the impact of budgetary policy were most pronounced during the period of austerity budgets (2008-2012) while more gender neutral policy reforms occurred during the period of 2013-2018.

Gender differences in the impact of Irish budgetary policy over the last decade can be traced back to the fact that women are more likely than men to be lone parents, to be out of the labour force and to benefit from child-related supports.