Willie O'Dea (Limerick City, Fianna Fail)
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545. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the rate of severe material deprivation here; the way in which this compares to the EU average; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31148/18]

Regina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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The most recent Eurostat data shows that some 6.5% of the population in Ireland were severely materially deprived in 2016, as compared to the EU28 average rate of 7.5% (see Table 1). This is an improvement on 2015 where the rates were 7.5% and 8.1% respectively.

The continuing improvement in the economy, together with welfare measures introduced in Budgets 2017 and 2018, are likely to have supported a further reduction in severe material deprivation in the period since 2016 (the period for which the most recent data is available). This improvement is expected to continue with further rises in incomes and living standards and 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.

As part of this work, my Department is currently developing a new four-year plan to tackle poverty and social inclusion, including the reduction of material deprivation, for the period from 2018 to 2021. Like its predecessor, the National Action Plan for Social Inclusion 2007-2016 and its 2015 to 2017 update, which concluded last year, the plan will have a whole-of-Government approach that aims to improve outcomes for vulnerable and marginalised people while recognising a shared responsibility across Government to implement actions to achieve the overall objectives. The plan will be published in the Autumn.

Table 1: Severe Material Deprivation Rate 2010 to 2016

Source: Eurostat EU-SILC, various years. Extracted 09/07/2018