Deprivation was experienced by close to one in three people in 2013, according to the latest figures from the Central Statistics Office.
30.5% of people experienced ‘enforced deprivation’ – up from 26.9% in 2012.
However the figure is most startling when compared to deprivation levels in 2008, when less than 14% (13.7%) were classed as deprived.
Indicators of deprivation include being unable to afford heat, new clothes or a roast once a week.
The number of people living in consistent poverty rose slightly year on year, but again the impact of the recession was clear, with the rate almost doubling from 4.2% in 2008 to 8.2% in 2013.
The CSO however says small changes to the at risk of poverty and consistent poverty rates in 2013 were not 'statistically significant' compared to 2012 figures.
