One in seven people in Ireland are at risk of poverty, according to the latest statistics from the Central Statistics Office.
The CSO has published a survey for 2008 on income and living conditions.
It found that more than 20% of households are in arrears of at least one type, with lower income earners experiencing arrears in mortgage, rent or utility bills, whilst higher income earners tend to have credit card or overdraft arrears.
The survey finds children are the most likely age group to experience deprivation; more than 30% of children last year experienced some form of deprivation.
Households where the head of the house was unemployed had an increase of more than 25% in their average disposable income, but they continue to have much lower income, an average of €35, 208 (compared with €60, 977).
The consistent poverty rate has fallen to 4.2%, again children remain the most exposed group when it comes to living in consistent poverty. The average annual disposable income increased by 2.2% to €49.043.
The survey also found that one-quarter of people experienced at least one form of deprivation, similar to previous years.
