Economic deprivation hitting one in four

Almost one-in-four Irish people suffer some form of economic deprivation with children and families the worst affected, figures reveal.

About 250,000 children are at risk of poverty and Ireland’s consistent poverty rate has soared over the past three years. The consistent poverty rate for children has risen from 8.8% in 2010 to 9.3% in 2011.

Furthermore, average disposable income has fallen sharply, from a high of €24,380 in 2008 to €21,440 last year.