A new study on how poverty affects families has found most households below the poverty line live in fear and were more likely to suffer from poor health.
According to the report commissioned by the Combat Poverty Agency, over half of Dublin households surveyed claimed to be living in fear of people who lived locally and that "lone mothers felt bullied".
It found there was concern among parents for their children. "At least one parent in two thirds of households expressed apprehension about children in relation to the area in which they lived," it said.
The study also noted there was a "marked lack of local amenities" in the areas in which these families live.
Poor health was also found to be more common, especially in relation to children. The study concluded that the "inadequacy of income" was eroding the quality of family life.
It found the average income was around €124 for an adult and €50 for a child. "Two thirds of households had no money left over in a typical week. Many households were in arrears on "normal" expenditure such as rent, electricity and telephone," it said.
Director of the Combat Poverty Agency Ms Helen Johnston said money was vital and that increases in social welfare benefits, as well as payments to those on employment and training schemes, have to be a key part of any response."
"This study re-emphasises the need to move towards meeting the Government's target minimum social welfare rate of €150 per week," she said.
