Counties without EU funds show below-average incomes

MANY of the counties excluded from lucrative EU funding are continuing to suffer from lower incomes, according to the latest Central Statistics Office (CSO) figures.

Kerry, Wexford, South Tipperary, Kilkenny and Carlow have all missed out on EU funding for disadvantaged areas, yet their household income is in the lowest bracket, at 82.2% to 89.1% of the state average.

In the wake of the CSO County Incomes and Regional GDP report, local representatives have called for targeted Government funding to make up the shortfall.