Household welfare income up by 50%

The share of Irish household income that comes from welfare payments has risen by 50% between 2004 and 2011, according to figures from the Economic and Social Research Institute.

Nine years ago, 20% of the average Irish household income came from social welfare.

However, this figure had risen to 30% by 2011. This was largely due to the rise in unemployment, and the fall in market incomes from work, interest/dividends and rents, the report says.