Figures released by the Central Statistics Office show that almost 7% of the population was deemed 'consistently poor' in 2004 compared to almost 9% in 2003.
Figures also show that last year almost one in every five Irish people was at risk of poverty.
Members of lone parent households and persons living alone were among the most at risk.
Other high risk groups included people living in rented or rent-free accommodation, the unemployed and the ill or disabled.
The total gross annual household income was estimated to be just over €49,000 in 2004.
The poverty threshold was estimated at €9,680 per annum or €185 per week in 2004.
