The government's being told to stop trying to 'solve' Ireland's employment problem with multinational companies.

Social Justice Ireland says the coalition needs to focus more on small business and increase investment in infrastructure, particularly broadband.

The think tank has released its latest 'National Social Monitor', which shows poverty is a bigger problem in rural areas than in towns and cities.

Director Sean Healy says he understands its not as simple as getting big companies to leave towns and cities: