Families get €217 a week in state payments

The average household now receives €217 in social welfare and other state payments every week, an increase of over 70% since 2005.

The extent to which homes have become dependent on welfare payments to make ends meet has been laid bare by a report which shows rural families are most in need of financial help.

The figures from the Central Statistics Office show the average home now receives €217.20 in social welfare payments weekly, up from €125.41 in 2005.