Poverty Among People with Disabilities on Increase SILC Survey Shows

Figures released today showed more than half the population of people living with disabilities in Ireland are not able to afford essential items such as:

• Adequated heated homes

• Two pairs of strong shoes

• A warm coat

• Meat on a frequent basis

These are stark findings against overall findings that general poverty rates in Ireland are showing modest improvements. These are clearly not being felt by people with disabilities for whom poverty rates are increasing across all three measures of poverty (At risk of Poverty, Deprivation and Consistent Poverty) Consistent poverty rose 8% between 2014 and 2015 and is 13.4%, amoung people with disabilities.

Today’s Survey in Income and Living Conditions Survey, SILC, also indicates that people with disabilities in Ireland are at almost twice the risk of living in poverty (34.8%) as the general population (16.9%).

Joan O’Donnell, Development Manager with the Disability Federation of Ireland said:

“Working is not an option for every one and people have the right to social protection. There must be adequate supports that allows people to live in dignity”.

Below are key findings from the Survey selected by DFI: