Apparently, one quarter of us live in deprivation, but...

ALMOST one in four people in the country is living in deprivation.
Latest figures from the Central Statistics Office (CSO) have revealed 23 per cent of the population cannot afford some of the most basic necessities, such as food, heat and clothes. The CSO defines a person as deprived if he cannot afford at least two of 11 criteria, including two pairs of strong shoes; new (not second-hand) clothes; a warm, waterproof coat; re- placement of worn-out furniture; home heating; and a roast dinner once a week or a meal with meat or fish, or vegetarian equivalent, every other day. It also states a person should be able to afford a day out in the last fortnight, have guests over for a drink or meal once a month, and buy presents at least once a year.
The report also shows almost 16 per cent of the population are now at risk of poverty – that is, earning less than 60 per cent of the median national disposable income of €22,168.

Even though Ireland’s median disposable income fell by almost €1,200 in the space of a year, and the ‘at risk of poverty’ threshold fell from €12,064 to €10,831, the number of people falling below that threshold increased by almost two per cent. More than one in 16 people now live in ‘consistent poverty’: earning less than €10,831 in disposable income
and experiencing at least two of the deprivation criteria. St Vincent de Paul said it was not
surprised at the figures as calls for help to the charity have doubled since 2008 and people are ‘extremely worried’ about next week’s Budget. ‘There is a palpable fear around the country,’ a charity spokesman said. ‘There are a lot of people who can just about manage on social welfare, they hit a period of the year where there is something additional like back to school, Christmas, birthday, and that pushes them over the edge.’
He said there were basic physical, psychological and social needs everyone required,
which will be put out of reach for many if there are to be cuts or changes to social welfare criteria. ‘We don’t know what’s coming. If it’s anything like it’s supposed to be
it’s going to be really, really bad,’ he added.

... he cannot afford at least two of 11 criteria, including two pairs of strong shoes; new (not second-hand) clothes; a warm, waterproof coat; replacement of worn-out furniture; home heating; and a roast dinner once a week or a meal with meat or fish, or vegetarian equivalent, every other day. It also states a person should be able to afford a day out in the last fortnight, have guests over for a drink or meal once a month, and buy presents at least once a year.