The number of children living in consistent poverty – meaning they are living both at risk of poverty and experiencing deprivation – doubled from 6% to just under 12% between 2008 and 2013, according to figures released by the Central Statistics Office (CSO).

The figures revealed in the CSO 2013 Survey on Income and Living Conditions and published on Wednesday (21st January) mean that 135,000 children – or one in eight – are experiencing material deprivation on a daily basis in Ireland.

Among the report’s other findings are:

- 1.4 million people, or almost 31% of the population, suffered from deprivation and were not able to afford basic items.

- A quarter of the population was not able afford to heat their home adequately.

- Deprivation rates were most acute among lone parents, the unemployed and those not at work due to illness or disability.

READ FULL REPORT HERE