The widening gap between Ireland’s rich and poor was demonstrated by new figures released today by the Central Statistics Office.
The Household Budget Survey shows that between 1995 to 2000 the highest 10 per cent of households had an average gross weekly income of £1,054, a rise of 61 per cent, while the lowest 10 per cent recorded an income of £103, a rise of 37 per cent.
The average Irish household is now spending 46 per cent more than five years ago, the CSO reported. The figures showed that the typical weekly spend worked out at £455.
Over the five-year period under examination, the survey indicated that household income increased by 53 per cent to £525 a week.
The CSO highlighted a proportionate fall in spending on food, fuel, clothing and footwear, and rise in the areas of household durable goods, transport and services.
At the same time, the amount spent on durable goods shot up by 87 per cent, and there was a 67 per cent leap in transport expenditure.
Also, despite a series of tax cuts there was a 48 per cent increase in taxes paid by households, reflecting a significant rise in the number of Irish people at work as a result of the booming economy.
The survey was undertaken between June 1999 and July 2000 and involved 7,644 households.