Figures show sharp rise in number of 'deprived'
Figures published today by the Central Statistics Office (CSO) have indicated a sharp rise in the number of "deprived" people in Ireland last year.
Data from the CSO's survey on Income and Living Conditions indicates that the number of people defined as being deprived has almost doubled since 2007, from 11.8% to 22.8% of the population.
People falling into the deprived category are defined as experiencing two or more types of deprivation according to an 11-item CSO index.
"These (index items) range from being without heating at some stage in the past year; to being unable to afford to replace worn-out furniture, to being able to afford to buy new, not-second-hand clothes," said CSO spokesperson Pamela Lafferty.
The survey also showed disposable income levels dropping by 5% last year across the population.
Average annual disposable income in 2010 was €22,168, compared to €23,326 the previous year.
The survey also highlighted a rise in those at risk of poverty, from 14.1% in 2009 to 15.8% in 2010.
