Comparative Spatial Deprivation in Ireland

This study analyses the spatial dimensions of deprivation in Ireland. Despite the economic boom in the Republic of Ireland, the number of poor people has remained high. There is a danger that the ongoing hype about the "Celtic Tiger" could serve to distract from the urgency of the situation. The high average prosperity masks massive internal inequality. This raises important questions about the nature and causes of poverty and social deprivation; in particular, there is a need for a greater understanding of the geographical dimensions of poverty and deprivation. The main aim of this report is to undertake a detailed analysis of socio-economic indicators at small-area level for all of Ireland, adopting a common methodology for both North and South.
 
This study analyses the spatial dimensions of deprivation in Ireland. Despite the economic boom in the Republic of Ireland, the number of poor people has remained high. There is a danger that the ongoing hype about the "Celtic Tiger" could serve to distract from the urgency of the situation. The high average prosperity masks massive internal inequality. This raises important questions about the nature and causes of poverty and social deprivation; in particular, there is a need for a greater understanding of the geographical dimensions of poverty and deprivation. The main aim of this report is to undertake a detailed analysis of socio-economic indicators at small-area level for all of Ireland, adopting a common methodology for both North and South.