Willie O'Dea (Limerick City, Fianna Fail)
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1987. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the rates of poverty, consistent and at risk of poverty and deprivation in each region in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26652/17]

Regina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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My Department recently published the Social Inclusion Monitor 2015 providing an update on the social situation in Ireland, including progress towards the national social target for poverty reduction. The Monitor reported continued improvements in poverty, income inequality and living conditions in 2015. The final section discusses the spatial distribution of consistent poverty – a measure that combines relatively low income and deprivation. The rate nationally in 2015 was 8.7%. This compares to the low of 6% in the Mid-East region and high of 11.9% in the Border region. Five of the eight regions had consistent poverty rates below the national average – see Table 1. The remaining regions, the Border, South-East and South-West, had levels above this. It should be noted when considering these figures that the SILC survey, on which they are based, is designed to provide estimates on income and living conditions at the state level. While estimates can be calculated at the regional level, they are more volatile due to the inevitably smaller sample sizes.

Looking now at the two supporting indicators, the at-risk-of-poverty rate was lowest in the Dublin region at 12.7% and highest in the Border region at 22.9%. This compares to a national average of 16.9%. Four of the eight regions had at-risk-of-poverty rates above the national average (i.e. the Border, West, South-East and South-West). In 2015, the basic deprivation rate was lowest in the Mid-West region at 16.2% and highest in South-West region at 32.8%. The comparative national rate was 25.5%. Four of the eight regions had deprivation rates above the national average (i.e. the Border, Midlands, South-East and South-West).

Given the continuing economic recovery throughout 2015 and measures introduced in the Budgets since 2015, it is reasonable to expect future poverty figures to show improvement. I will continue to work with my Government colleagues to ensure that the economic recovery is experienced in all regions and by all families, households and individuals.

The Government’s strategy for addressing poverty and social exclusion is set out in the updated National Action Plan for Social Inclusion, which reflects the multi-dimensional nature of poverty. The Plan identifies a wide range of targeted actions and interventions to achieve the overall objective of reducing consistent poverty. The Department will review the Plan this year, as it reaches the end of its current term, with a view to developing an updated plan for future periods. The Department will also review the national social target for poverty reduction. This review will be undertaken in consultation with relevant stakeholders.

Table 1: CSO 2015 SILC poverty rates by statistical indicator and region