Survey shows rise in number of adults with less than €100 disposable income
There has been a sharp rise in the number of adults who have €100 or less left each month after bills have been paid, according to a new report.
The "What's Left" tracker survey by the Irish League of Credit Unions, shows the figure has jumped by 32,000 in comparison to December 2013.
It estimated that 1.696 million people have €100 or less left at the end of the month once all the bills are paid, an increase of 32,000 on the December 2013 figure of 1.664 million.
According to the report, 1.154 million have €50 or less left at the end of the month once all the bills are paid, this represents an increase of 56,000 on the December 2013 figure of 1.098 million, with 470,000 left with nothing at the end of the month, a drop of 10,000 since December 2013.
However, the report also finds that more people are now in a position to save when compared with this time last year (44% in April 2014 compared to 39% in April 2013).
The average amount saved is €177, up from €170 in April 2013 and an increase from €175 in December 2013.
Kieron Brennan, CEO of the Irish League of Credit Unions, says while times remain tough things are looking up for some people.
"What we're finding now when we ask people about their disposable income is that while many people are still feeeling economic pain, there are signs of a fragile recovery underway," he said.
"RThere's a return of confidence, the amount of income going into a household hasn't changed that much, people are managing it much better."
