Five areas in Clare have been identified as being very disadvantaged in a new report.
The latest Pobal Deprivation Index shows parts of Ennis, Kilrush, Kilkee, Kilferagh and Ennistymon have been hit hardest by the recession.
The Pobal HP Deprivation Index shows rural towns with populations under 5 thousand are benefiting less from the economic recovery, with communities living further away from major towns tending to be poorer.
The vast majority of Clare was found to be marginally above or marginally below average in terms of income, with no area being described as wealthy – though neighbouring Ballina was described as affluent.
There are more than ten areas in the banner county considered to be disadvantaged, most of those in West and North Clare and in parts of Shannon and Sixmilebridge.
And there were eight areas identified as very disadvantaged – these were the electoral areas of Ennis Rural, Ennis Urban 1, 2 and 4, Kilrush Urban, Kilkee, Kilferagh and Ennistymon.
The report also shows a higher level of unemployment in each of those areas.
And you can read the report in full here.
