EU study finds 23% are at risk of poverty

Almost one-quarter of the Irish population is at risk of poverty, according to an EU survey on income and living conditions in 2003.

The survey, which was published today by the Central Statistics Office (CSO), found that 23% of Irish people were living in households with an income less than 60% of the average, which puts them at risk of poverty.

The CSO said people living alone and people living in single-parent households were found to be most at risk.

The EU study found that 9% of Irish people were "consistently poor", which means they had an income less than 60% of the average and could not afford at least one of the eight items ranked as basic necessities.

It also found that the average household income in Ireland in 2003 was just over €46,000, falling to €36,000 when tax and PRSI are deducted.

The top income group was also found to earn almost five times more than the bottom income group.