The Central Statistics Office (CSO) data on Enforced Deprivation shows almost 900,000 people were going without basics prior to the pandemic – an increase of over 140,000 from the previous year. More than one in five children are now experiencing enforced deprivation.

While the Roman Catholic ceremony was still the most popular choice among opposite-sex couples, the 2018 report shows that civil marriage ceremonies accounted for 62.8 per cent of same-sex marriages and 28.7 per cent of opposite-sex marriages.

A report published by the Central Statistics Office (CSO) in August 2018 showed that Ireland was way off track in reaching its carbon reduction targets, Fr Sean McDonagh has warned.

The statistics reveal that the number of families in Ireland is up but the number of Catholics is down.

One in ten workers are on the minimum wage, twice what was previously estimated.

“It is clear to us the economic recovery isn’t being felt by all as we are supporting parents who are under huge strain to meet the needs of their children because of the absence of appropriate quality public services” – Fergus Finlay, Barnardos.

Some 81,900 people left Irish shores between April 2013 and April 2014 though it appears the number of people emigrating has begun to fall.