Vincentian MESL Research Centre

The Minimum Essential Standard of Living (MESL) research was transferred from the Vincentian Partnership for Social Justice, to the newly established Vincentian MESL Research Centre at the SVP in July 2022.

The MESL research has been ongoing since 2004. The MESL budget standards research has developed to provide an evidence-based benchmark of what is required for a life with dignity for 90% of households in Ireland, and has become an integral part of the policy discourse around income adequacy, poverty and social inclusion.

The Vincentian MESL Research Centre has been established within the SVP to ensure that the MESL continues to be an independent source of data, retaining the purpose and identity of the research. As such it will continue to provide this independent, methodologically robust research, contributing a key reference point to the policy debate. Through the MESL research, the VPSJ actively worked towards building a fairer society for all. The establishment of the Vincentian MESL Research Centre will see this work carried on and continuing to shine a light on what is needed for everyone in Ireland to live with dignity. 

 The objectives of the Research Centre are to:

  • To ensure the sustainability of the data and its continuing expansion.
  • To increase its accessibility to policy developers, decision makers and the general public.
  • To enhance the core research and policy development issues arising from the expanded recognition and utilisation of the MESL data by groups across Ireland, and at EU level.
  • To facilitate the effectiveness of the current contribution of the MESL research to the suite of measures which focus on the understanding of poverty and its reduction.
  • To enhance the potential to contribute to both national and international debates and efforts to promote acceptable living standards for all citizens.
  • To conduct deeper analysis and comprehensive policy development, responding to the needs of the multiple organisations and bodies which rely on the MESL data.