Galway Bay fm newsroom - The West of Ireland has a proverty rate of 15.4%.
Social Justice Ireland has launched its 'Poverty Focus 2021' report which finds that the West has the third highest rate nationwide.
The study reveals the border region and the South-East have the highest poverty rates in the country at 21.8% and 22.4% respectively.
According to the latest data, poverty levels are recorded as higher than the rest of the country as a whole for the Border, Midlands, West and South-East regions.
Social Justice Ireland argues that many in rural areas face challenges of higher poverty rates, lower median incomes, higher dependency ratios, longer distances from everyday services, and a higher rate of part-time employment.
Dr. Seán Healy, CEO of Social Justice Ireland, says there are huge regional variations when it comes to poverty.
