Gap between rich and poor ‘one of the widest in EU’

IRELAND has one of the widest gaps between rich and poor in the EU, according to a report published yesterday by the European Commission.

The director of a leading anti-poverty group, the CORI Justice Commission, called for immediate action to redress the imbalance after the Social Situation in the European Union report showed 21% of the Irish population is deemed to be poor, compared to an EU average of just 15%.

CORI director Fr Sean Healy urged the Government last night to take action and prepare a budget that will bridge the gap between the wealthy and those who are just surviving.