Concerns about levels of poverty in Ireland

Poverty charity Turn2us has raised concerns at the level of poverty in Ireland revealed by the publication of the Survey of Income and Living Conditions for 2015. The survey, released today by the Central Statistics Office, found that the ‘At risk of poverty rate’ was 16.9% and the ‘Consistent poverty rate’ was 8.7%.

The survey found that the ‘at risk of poverty’ rate for households with one adult and one or more children aged under 18 was 36.2%.

Simon Hopkins, Chief Executive of Turn2us, commented: 

“It is devastating that so many people are both living in poverty and vulnerable to it.

“Of particular concern is that so many children are growing up in poverty.

“It is therefore crucial that organisations work together to ensure that economically vulnerable households receive all of the welfare benefits that they are entitled to, but also grants that they are eligible for.”

Turn2us helps people in financial need gain access to charitable grants. It has a Grants Search tool on its website (Turn2us.ie) where people can find out what grants they are eligible for.