Gap between rich and poor regions growing, study finds

The difference in wealth between Dublin and Cork regions and the rest of the country is vast and growing according to the latest figures released by Eurostat.

Figures for all the regions of the EU also show a huge disparity with the richest, the inner city of London having three times the EU average level of wealth, while the poorest part of Bulgaria is 10 times poorer.

For the first time, estimates of the proceeds of crime including prostitution, illegal drugs, diesel and cigarettes have been included in the accounts by the Central Statistics Office that prepares the Irish figures.