PART 4: FORMAL AND INFORMAL SUPPORTS

Economic Security

Children who are poor do less well educationally, are more likely to suffer ill-health, become teenage parents, suffer child abuse and are vulnerable to homelessness and delinquent behaviour. In addition, such children are less likely to have opportunities in life. ⁵⁹

Measure

The percentage of children living in households with a household income below the national 60% median, equivalised using the national equivalence scale, and experiencing basic deprivation.

Key findings

• 10.3% of children under 18 experienced consistent poverty in 2006 (see Table 91).

• In 2006, the consistent poverty rate of children under 18 living in households comprising a single adult with children was 33.9% (see Figure 33). This was higher than the percentage of children under 18 experiencing consistent poverty in households with 2 adults and 1-3 children and other households with children under 18.

'At risk of poverty'

Measure

The percentage of children living in households with a household income below the national 60% median, equivalised using the national equivalence scale.

Key findings

• In 2006, 22.3% of children under 18 were considered to be 'at risk of poverty' (see Table 92).
• Children under 18 had a higher 'at risk of poverty' rate than the population as a whole (22.3% compared to 17%).

• In 2006, the percentage of children under 18 'at risk of poverty' in Ireland (22%) was higher than the EU25 average (19%) (see Figure 34).

Technical notes
'Consistent poverty' is the official Government-approved measure of poverty used in Ireland. This measure identifies the proportion of people, from those with an income below the 60% median income threshold, who are deprived of goods and services considered essential for a basic standard of living. The consistent poverty measure used in the National Action Plan for Social Inclusion 2007-2016 (NAPinclusion) ⁶⁰ has been updated to reflect changes in living standards since the measure was originally devised by the ESRI in 1987. The new deprivation index contains 11 items and more closely reflects today's living standards and the realities of social inclusion and social participation. The measure forms the basis for the overall poverty reduction goal of the National Action Plan for Social Inclusion 2007-2016 (NAPinclusion).

Persons are now regarded as being in consistent poverty if (i) their income is below 60% of median income and (ii) they experience deprivation in relation to 2 or more items from the following 11-item list of deprivation indicators:

1.   Two pairs of strong shoes.
2.   A warm waterproof overcoat.
3.   Buy new (not second-hand) clothes.
4.   Eat meals with meat, chicken, fish (or vegetarian equivalent) every second day.
5.   Have a roast joint or its equivalent once a week.
6.   Had to go without heating during the last year through lack of money.
7.   Keep the home adequately warm.
8.   Buy presents for family or friends at least once a year.
9.   Replace any worn-out furniture.
10.  Have family or friends for a drink or meal once a month.
11.  Have a morning, afternoon or evening out in the last fortnight, for entertainment.

The 'at risk of poverty' indicator is measured by income alone. This indicator of poverty measures the proportion of the population falling below the relative income threshold. The EU has set this threshold at 60% of the median disposable income. In 2006, 60% of the median disposable income for a single person was €202.49 per week. ⁶¹

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