'Entire communities being left behind' as new report reveals Ireland's most deprived and affluent areas

Latest:  Saint Vincent De Paul has said the publication of Pobal's Deprivation Index confirms the charity's experience that small towns were the hardest hit during the recession.

Update 4.36pm: Saint Vincent De Paul has said the publication of Pobal's Deprivation Index confirms the charity's experience that small towns were the hardest hit during the recession.

“SVP volunteers in small town and more rural areas are still seeing the consequences of job loss, cut back in services, emigration and austerity for struggling households," said SVP National President Kieran Stafford.