Almost half a million people in Ireland cannot afford to sustain a healthy diet, according to new research commissioned by the Department of Social Protection.
Up to 10 percent of the population experienced food poverty in Ireland in 2010, which represents a three percent increase from the previous year. The study ‘Constructing a Food Poverty Indicator for Ireland’ shows that families with children are three times as likely as those without to struggle with food poverty.
The research showed that some 450,000 people do not have the financial means to afford a meal with meat every second day or cook a roast dinner once a week. People in this category also missed at least one substantial meal over a two-week period due to lack of money.
Dr Cliodhna Foley-Nolan, director of human health and nutrition at Safefood, said the effects are both short and long term.
“The immediate effects of food poverty range from difficulties in concentration and poor energy levels in children, to wellbeing issues in everyday life for adults,” she said.
“The longer-term, public health consequences for those households living in food poverty are ill-health and higher rates of diet-related chronic diseases such as osteoporosis, type 2 diabetes, obesity and certain cancers.”
Jerry Buttimer, chairman of the Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children, described the report as valuable advice.
“Whether in rural towns or urban cities, the experience of food poverty is very real and damaging to the health of children and adults and also impacts on their future prospects,” he said.
“By identifying those most at risk, we can begin to work towards helping those most at need in what is a key health issue.”
Despite the high numbers, food poverty was lower in Ireland than in many European countries, including Germany, Britain, and Italy.
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Switch to the desktop site to post a comment.Seanmor | Oct 19, 2012, 06:50 PM EDT
Three years ago the Irish state was paying foreigners on the dole €400 million a year. About 2 years I read that dozens, if not not hundreds, of single men from Derry had moved to Donegal to avail themseves of the much higher dole payments across the Border. The South's welfare benefits are far too high for a state in the midst of a severe economic recession. Meanwhile, the North gets far more financil assistence fronm G.B. that the South gets from the E.U. - to which it continues surrender it's diluted sovereignty.
Dublinloyal | Oct 19, 2012, 05:57 PM EDT
The Irish republic has one of the highest social welfare payments in Europe €188 single payment per week plus all the add on's free health, rent allowance up to 75% of the rent on one's home. In addition to free cooker, washing machine, any house hold need. If you are reading this from America you may think I'm joking but I'm not the welfare bill is over a billion a year and that's not covering the Department of Health. I live in Belfast which is part of the united Kingdom welfare payments are 50% less than the republic and every working person pays tax including those on low wage. In relation to food poverty 50c is a lot of money if you don't have 50c in your pocket
esatdigiwank | Oct 19, 2012, 06:13 AM EDT
Sponsor an Irish child now..
Towngate | Oct 18, 2012, 06:41 PM EDT
Well said Portia! Very droll comment. Since the British left they have only managed to slaughter each other, wreck any prospects of true financial well-being through hard work and they are now trying to starve themselves out of it!! "The quality of mercy is not strained..." ... but it is wasted in the Aaarshs! They are still better off than Germany and the UK in this regard ... who are propping them up with Bailout bullion!
TayandCake | Oct 18, 2012, 02:19 PM EDT
@SEANMOR, I believe SVP work domestically. Lets support them.
Portia777 | Oct 18, 2012, 10:33 AM EDT
Auto genocide is working well then.
bobby | Oct 18, 2012, 09:38 AM EDT
Ireland is not alone when it comes to food poverty. In the UK it is even higher. Some figures for the States. •In 2011, 50.1 million Americans lived in food insecure households, 33.5 million adults and 16.7 million children. •In 2011, 14.9 percent of households (17.9 million households) were food insecure.
Seanmor | Oct 18, 2012, 08:56 AM EDT
Since about 10% of the Irish state's resifents cannon affort to eat properly, Trócaire and other Irish charities should put such needy people ahead of Third World residents whom they so generously provide for.