Number of people in deprivation up more than 200,000 since Government took office

There are 1.3 million people experiencing deprivation in Ireland, an increase of 215,000 since this Government came to office in 2011. The numbers experiencing deprivation have almost doubled since the crash of 2008.

The CSO Survey on Income and Living Conditions was published on November 26, 2015.  Key statistics are:

• 1.3 million people in Ireland are experiencing deprivation, an increase of 215,000 since this Government came to office in 2011. The number of people in deprivation has almost doubled (+615,000) since the crash of 2008.
• Three quarters of a million people are living in poverty in Ireland, up 55,000 since 2011.
• 230,000 children are at risk of poverty – up 12,000 in a single year.
• Poverty is rising among children and pensioners as well as among people with disability and carers.

1.3 million people in Ireland are experiencing deprivation, an increase of 215,000 since this Government came to office in 2011. The numbers experiencing deprivation have almost doubled (+615,000) since the crash of 2008. 

This means that almost 30% of Ireland’s population are deprived of basic essentials like a warm winter coat or adequate heating. Over 440,000 of these people are children, and about 85,000 are pensioners. Almost one in five children under age 18, and roughly one in ten people aged over 65, experience deprivation. 

These figures provide conclusive evidence that, despite what we are being told, Government policy has failed to protect our society’s most vulnerable, or to significantly ease their difficult circumstances.

Government did have choices. The choices it made produced five regressive budgets in a row which has resulted in 1.3m people experiencing deprivation and three quarters of a million people living in poverty.

The Annual Survey on Income and Living Conditions (SILC), on which these numbers are based, was published today by the CSO.

There are 755,570 living in poverty in Ireland. This is a rise of 55,000 since this Government came into office. Over 230,000 of these are children.  The CSO study also shows that the number of people experiencing deprivation is extremely high.

The poverty line has fallen from €11,113 in 2011 to €10,786 in this study. Yet, despite this fall, three quarters of a million people are subsisting on a meagre yearly income, and in a number of instances, are being deprived of basic essentials.  This represents a huge challenge to Government and to Society.

Several successive regressive budgets are driving these trends. Ireland is not a poor country. Social Justice Ireland has provided fully-costed alternatives which would have led to better outcomes, but the Government has chosen another direction. These statistics highlight the unfortunate outcome for many of our citizens.