Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

This map shows food poverty 'is a reality in every county in Ireland'

Two unions are calling on the government to provide aid to organisations offering food assistance to those struggling this Christmas.

TWO TRADE UNIONS have today called on the government to provide support to organisations giving food assistance to people around the country so they can meet the demand on their services this Christmas.

Today Mandate and Unite released a map with a county-by-county breakdown of food poverty in the country, to highlight this demand.

image

Click here for a larger version of this image.

The map shows Dublin fares worst with 112,300 people suffering food poverty. Larger counties like Cork and Galway follow close behind, with 50,500 and 25,300 people in need of assistance respectively.

Nationally, one in ten people suffer food poverty.

“Food poverty means that someone missed a meal in the last fortnight because of a lack of money,” Mandate general secretary John Douglas said. “It may mean they cannot afford a meal with meat or the vegetarian equivalent every second day or afford a roast or vegetarian equivalent once a week.”

Those suffering food poverty may be lone parent families; they may be the newly unemployed; they may be pensioners – and they may be people in work, struggling to survive on low wages.

Today the unions demanded that the government provide “immediate aid” of €10 million to organisations offering food assistance and to reverse cuts to low income groups in the new year.

They also called for an increase in the minimum wage – something the country has not seen since 2007.

“Poverty in Ireland today is part of a policy-made disaster – austerity, and the collapse in incomes it has brought in its wake,” commented Unite regional secretary Jimmy Kelly. “The figures released by Unite and Mandate show that food poverty is a reality in every county in Ireland.”

Related: Ten per cent of Irish population living in food poverty>

Read: Rising food poverty hinders students’ ability to learn>

Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone...
A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.

Close
188 Comments
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Mick B
    Favourite Mick B
    Report
    Dec 15th 2013, 1:28 PM

    I used to work for a major supermarket (won’t mention names) in Cork. Each day we would throw out perishable food that was going to go off within a couple of days. For our accounts, we would have to tot up how much worth we were throwing out. Some days, I shit you not, we would be throwing out upwards of €5,000 worth of food. A lot of this food was perfect. It is a disgrace. That food could be used to feed many people, but management refused to do it as there was a concern that they may be sued if someone got sick from eating it. Surely they could draw up a waiver with a charity group that said the consumers of the food were eating it at their own risk. It is sickening to see this kind of waste when so many people can’t afford to eat. The company I worked for used to talk about Corporate Social Responsibility as well. Absolute waffle!

    Rant over…

    437
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Vicky Ward
    Favourite Vicky Ward
    Report
    Dec 15th 2013, 2:42 PM

    That’s a shocking waste and totally irresponsible of whatever company you worked for. Pity we live in a society that is so afraid of being sued we would rather waste that amount of food. Imagine how many could have been fed in a local soup kitchen every day if the goods had been donated

    134
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Mick B
    Favourite Mick B
    Report
    Dec 15th 2013, 3:02 PM

    It is indeed shocking Vicky. It’s not just the company I worked for. It is pretty much every major food retailer that does this. It really is a sickening practice.

    112
    See 3 more replies ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Gerard J. Hannan
    Favourite Gerard J. Hannan
    Report
    Dec 15th 2013, 4:51 PM

    WOW. That is an eye opener.

    41
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Derek Durkin
    Favourite Derek Durkin
    Report
    Dec 15th 2013, 5:00 PM

    In the US you’ll be sacked for giving food to the homeless from most food corporations waste, now cities are adopting a policy of prosecuting people who feed the homeless, a worrying trend that is resulting in court battles in some cities in recent months.

    57
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute steve white
    Favourite steve white
    Report
    Dec 6th 2015, 10:30 PM

    do they not use something like foodcloud now?

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Common Chimpanzee
    Favourite Common Chimpanzee
    Report
    Dec 15th 2013, 1:08 PM

    For a country that produces enough food for 36 million people this is ridiculous

    334
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Brian Ó Dálaigh
    Favourite Brian Ó Dálaigh
    Report
    Dec 15th 2013, 1:34 PM

    I know there is food poverty in Ireland. I don’t dispute that. However, those numbers look a little suspicious. Multiply each figure by 10 and you get the exact population of each county. It’s almost as if they reckoned 10% of the country suffered food poverty so they just divided the population of each county by 10 rather than did a proper analysis of each county.

    237
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Brian Ó Dálaigh
    Favourite Brian Ó Dálaigh
    Report
    Dec 15th 2013, 1:51 PM

    My point is that the map shows that the food poverty rate in each county is exactly 10%. I would find it a little more believable if, say, it was 8% in Dublin, 13% in Leitrim, 9% in Kerry, etc. reflecting how the recession has affected each county differently. For example, the rate of unemployment in Ireland is 12.5%, but the CSO states the unemployment rate varies by county.

    113
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Barry Gorman
    Favourite Barry Gorman
    Report
    Dec 15th 2013, 2:10 PM

    You should read the report Brian. The figures are an approximation based on a 2010 Department of Social Protection report, which didn’t attempt at all to break it down county by county.
    It’s also worth noting that these figures are a conservative estimate, and the reality is that the numbers could be a lot higher.
    Plus, they’re not all exactly one tenth of the county population. I just looked at Donegal and Laois,randomly, and in both of them the figure is 1 in 9 suffer from food poverty, while Dublin is 1 in 11.

    27
    See 13 more replies ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Brian Ó Dálaigh
    Favourite Brian Ó Dálaigh
    Report
    Dec 15th 2013, 2:16 PM

    So if the report doesn’t break it down by county, why did they release a map that does break it down by county? It leads people to question their figures altogether if they produce baseless maps. Accuracy is key; without accuracy people simply won’t believe them and nothing will be done. Look even at some of the comments here where people are questioning the figures. People have become disillusioned with “authoritative” bodies coming out with statistics because of how the numbers are twisted, sensationalised, or even falsified.

    81
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Peace for All
    Favourite Peace for All
    Report
    Dec 15th 2013, 2:17 PM

    “Food poverty means that someone missed a meal in the last fortnight because of a lack of money”

    Says it all really……

    54
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute AICS (Steve Tracey)
    Favourite AICS (Steve Tracey)
    Report
    Dec 15th 2013, 2:25 PM

    Do those who haven’t missed a meal, but the main meal as for example a pice of toast with say a boiled egg included, with that type of meal being a regular part of their week?

    37
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Barry Gorman
    Favourite Barry Gorman
    Report
    Dec 15th 2013, 2:35 PM

    The Department of Social Welfare report doesn’t break it down, this report does. Why they department report didn’t beak it down by county is a question we should be asking them.
    These figures are an estimate, but are still very close to the reality. I read a recent report from Safefood which also said the figure was 1 in 10.

    Labour figures from their last report say 1 in 14, but that would obviously be an extremely conservative estimate, as any higher would reflect even worse on the Governments lack of action in relation to food poverty.

    Also, if you think our food poverty rates are too high, you should see our child poverty rates. We’re the fifth highest in Europe.

    You doubt the numbers because they seem too high. You think they’re sensationalised. Well they’re not. If anything, they’re less than the real figures. Instead of doubting them, be outraged at them.

    26
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Peace for All
    Favourite Peace for All
    Report
    Dec 15th 2013, 2:43 PM

    Thanks Barry, I’m sure we should outraged rather than question the hype.
    Does child poverty mean kids who haven’t been allowed Playstation in the last fortnight?

    33
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute David Gibney
    Favourite David Gibney
    Report
    Dec 15th 2013, 2:45 PM

    The figures for county by county stats are adjusted from the overall 1 in 10 figure nationally. They method of adjustment was based on income levels by county. Lower income tends to mean higher poverty levels.

    13
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Peace for All
    Favourite Peace for All
    Report
    Dec 15th 2013, 2:59 PM

    …stats are adjusted…?
    Lower income tends to mean higher poverty levels.?
    Well there you are now, you learn something new everyday.

    10
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Brian Ó Dálaigh
    Favourite Brian Ó Dálaigh
    Report
    Dec 15th 2013, 3:00 PM

    It’s not that I doubt the numbers (personally I would reckon they are higher than what’s reported). What I am questioning is the methodology and inaccuracy, which only fuels doubting Thomases. We do have a serious issue on our hands, but we need to be accurate and detailed in our statistics in order to properly deal with it. Income levels aren’t really a good indicator either. E.g. We could have a county with low unemployment but average wages where actual hunger poverty rates are lower than typical, and a county with high unemployment and high average wages where actual hunger poverty rates are higher than the former county.

    13
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Peace for All
    Favourite Peace for All
    Report
    Dec 15th 2013, 3:12 PM

    Exactly, its all relative, but overstating the problem is a given for most of these organisations who drive the narrative on what is or isn’t defined as poverty.
    If poverty is defined as lack of opportunity then we all suffer from it

    8
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Brian Ó Dálaigh
    Favourite Brian Ó Dálaigh
    Report
    Dec 15th 2013, 3:17 PM

    Actually, Peace for All, I believe they have understated the problem. Also, they don’t talk about poverty in general. They specifically mentioned food poverty, which has nothing to do with a dearth of opportunities.

    9
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Peace for All
    Favourite Peace for All
    Report
    Dec 15th 2013, 3:31 PM

    It can apply then to everyone who have nothing left after paying their mortgage on a home they cant really afford, rather than homeless people who maybe eat every 2nd or 3rd day.

    13
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Dave Doyle
    Favourite Dave Doyle
    Report
    Dec 15th 2013, 6:31 PM

    Another government troll

    3
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute J. Dunn
    Favourite J. Dunn
    Report
    Dec 15th 2013, 7:07 PM

    If these numbers are rough estimates from 2010, how do they expect to conduct ongoing impact analysis of their efforts?
    I don’t think anyone would deny there is a problem, but this seems like a poor foundation.

    3
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Anne van Veen
    Favourite Anne van Veen
    Report
    Dec 15th 2013, 1:02 PM

    It is sadly true for many families,one or both parents go without food to provide food on the table for their children,but there are those whom abuse the system to get free suff,so please,Don’t abuse the system because you can,as you’ll leave a family whom really needs this help without,have compassion for these struggling families!.

    195
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Antonov Merinov
    Favourite Antonov Merinov
    Report
    Dec 15th 2013, 1:35 PM

    It’s all relative.
    The majority of children in the Philippines for instance would consider a fry-up a feast.

    70
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Gary o Barry
    Favourite Gary o Barry
    Report
    Dec 15th 2013, 1:42 PM

    The children are only hungry because the patents are drinking and smoking:)

    116
    See 12 more replies ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Kerry Blake
    Favourite Kerry Blake
    Report
    Dec 15th 2013, 1:51 PM

    Must be it Gary, couldn’t be because they have lost their jobs or a big bill for the car has hit them. Easy escape Gary to stick your head in the sand by blaming the drinking or smoking……………….

    138
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute realitycheque
    Favourite realitycheque
    Report
    Dec 15th 2013, 2:05 PM

    I agree Kerry,

    Why do so many people assume that people are living below the poverty line because they are irresponsible?

    95
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Larry Bird
    Favourite Larry Bird
    Report
    Dec 15th 2013, 2:20 PM

    While I do agree with Gary to some extent, as there are some people on the dole who still believe that it is their right to go out to the pub once a week and smoke, even though they have kids to feed, there’s a lot of other factors contributing to people’s difficult circumstances

    76
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Jack Bowden
    Favourite Jack Bowden
    Report
    Dec 15th 2013, 3:55 PM

    I agree Gary,

    A 1kg bag of rice is €1.17 how many meals can you get out of a 1kg bag? A lot.
    A loaf of slice pan can be got for €0.90
    A stuffed Roast Chicken Crown can be bought for €3.99 in Aldi, enough for 4 people. A sack of spuds is cheep too.

    If people are claiming they’re going hungry they don’t know how to spend their €188 social welfare payment and spending it on branded beer and fags.

    On another point I want to say – I think we all eat too much meat and it should be expensive because an animal has died for it and a lot of land and resources have gone into raising that meat. It’s only the price it is because of government subsidies. I wish we’d eat less meat. Having everyone eating meat every single day isn’t good for the planet.

    64
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Tom Hara
    Favourite Tom Hara
    Report
    Dec 15th 2013, 3:59 PM

    I totally agree. 10 euro can buy pasta veg and some meat. I honestly dont believe that this many people in Ireland go without a meal. A bag if pasta in lidl costs less than a euro

    44
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Séamus Mc Allister
    Favourite Séamus Mc Allister
    Report
    Dec 15th 2013, 4:13 PM

    Your not believing it has no bearing on its veracity, Tom. There are lots of formerly self-employed people with little or no entitlement to assistance from the state.

    46
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Luke Sullivan
    Favourite Luke Sullivan
    Report
    Dec 15th 2013, 4:50 PM

    This is true Seamus. We should have sorted that out years ago. It’s a scandal.

    17
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Simon Carroll
    Favourite Simon Carroll
    Report
    Dec 15th 2013, 4:56 PM

    Can you show me where in the report it said this is restricted only to people on welfare? Incase you missed it recently 82% of households get some form of assistance from welfare. Or is it that your bigoted mind can’t comprehend that blaming people who are worse off than you is just sad and shoes your inability to have compassion?

    15
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Noirin Kavanagh
    Favourite Noirin Kavanagh
    Report
    Dec 15th 2013, 5:02 PM

    Is it worth noting how many people live in rural areas where there is no public transport and no Aldi / Lidl nearby? Also that people may have to choose between a main meal and keeping warm, or paying the mortgage? Its more complicated than not being a good cook, or choosing fags over food. Easy to dismiss the problem with simplistic solutions though, saves the effort of genuine analysis…

    37
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Jack Bowden
    Favourite Jack Bowden
    Report
    Dec 15th 2013, 11:57 PM

    Increasing taxes on alcohol and tobacco increases poverty. Definitely!
    When I used to smoke I’d rather have gone hungry than have gone without fags. I definitely would have paid for fags before paying a mortgage.
    That’s addiction for ya and you’d be naive if ya think people don’t have any self responsibility for being in food poverty.
    Food IS relatively cheep. If you claim ya can’t afford to eat, you’re a liar or it’s going on drugs or fags.
    Bag of carrots, Brussels sprouts, a Mellon, clementines, bag of small potatoes all 12 cent each in Aldi tomorrow.

    5
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Séamus Mc Allister
    Favourite Séamus Mc Allister
    Report
    Dec 16th 2013, 2:40 AM

    There’s no Aldi in more places than there is. Defeats the point when it’s 30 quid for a taxi there.

    6
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Sinead Stevenson Fox
    Favourite Sinead Stevenson Fox
    Report
    Dec 16th 2013, 7:30 AM

    Where does the notion that there is the full allowance brought into a house is what’s sitting there waiting to be spent on food alone?? Also where are they getting the information? Or is it only those turning up at VdP? I pay full mortgage and budget account, after essentials, including petrol for school and college there is 80 Euro left for a family of 4 to cover food, clothes, Coal, services to car, school swimming and others they decide to throw at us, books, the list is endless, on a good week with no surprises it’s fine, we don’t smoke, drink or socialise for that matter, it’s manageable, however, something crops up and it can throw us for WEEKS trying to catch up! I’m blessed to have two kids that ask Santa for one thing each, he’ll be spending 35 Euro on what their looking for and I’ll scrape together a few more bits….. Provided there are no surprise bills arrive! I reckon there is more going without but just haven’t the guts to go ask, or where to even look!

    6
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Daniel Murphy
    Favourite Daniel Murphy
    Report
    Dec 15th 2013, 1:01 PM

    We send money to every country that needs it . I am not saying stop but we need to also help our own

    152
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Daniel Murphy
    Favourite Daniel Murphy
    Report
    Dec 15th 2013, 1:07 PM

    Why would someone down vote my previous statement. Today I helped a charity deliver food hampers it felt good to help people and made me realise how lucky I am

    69
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Tom Newnewman
    Favourite Tom Newnewman
    Report
    Dec 15th 2013, 12:55 PM

    Irish charities should restrict assistance to food vouchers until this is sorted.

    131
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Derrick Boyden
    Favourite Derrick Boyden
    Report
    Dec 15th 2013, 2:34 PM

    Why irish charities as there money is drying up because of the top up scandal ?Food poverty is caused by this government picking on the less well off and leaving the rich alone except to give the tax breaks you can guarantee KENNY ,GILMORE AND THE REST OF THE THIEVES IN GOVERNMENT WONT BE STRUGGLING IT WILL JUST THOSE ON SOCIAL WELFARE AND LOW PAID.I hope they choke on their turkey as they wont think of those going without food or heat as they cant afford i wish those people the best Christmas they can have and KENNY and CO wont even give them a thought may they rot in hell .

    30
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Michael
    Favourite Michael
    Report
    Dec 15th 2013, 3:04 PM

    Hey Derrick,

    Wanna go ahead and raise my boss’ taxes? Will you pay my social welfare when he has to let me go due to your raise?

    Tread carefully with your lefty nonsense

    23
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Miranda O'Reilly
    Favourite Miranda O'Reilly
    Report
    Dec 15th 2013, 12:59 PM

    When you have little money you’ve got prioritise, plan your weekly meals ahead and definitely shop in Aldi and Lidl where you can afford a little bit more.

    110
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Karen NíDhochartaigh
    Favourite Karen NíDhochartaigh
    Report
    Dec 15th 2013, 1:04 PM

    Not everyone can get to an Aldi or Lidl. Having very little money for food the cost of a bus or taxi to get to those stores are not justified for some people

    112
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Joe Valentine
    Favourite Joe Valentine
    Report
    Dec 15th 2013, 1:04 PM

    In tesco the other day….. £10 = 1 bag of shopping, Lidl £10 = 2 bags. You do the math.

    100
    See 8 more replies ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute turflife
    Favourite turflife
    Report
    Dec 15th 2013, 1:11 PM

    Do Aldi or lidl do home deliveries? There’s definitely a need for it for people who can’t get to them!

    64
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute realitycheque
    Favourite realitycheque
    Report
    Dec 15th 2013, 1:17 PM

    Miranda,

    The problem is how do you get to Aldi or Lidl if you don’t have a car or a bus doesn’t stop nearby? For many people it is a reality that, after paying bills, they do not have very much money left to buy food for the week. Even if they can get to an Aldi or Lidl, a shop for two people costs at least 60 euro a week. For a household (for example a single family with one child) with an income of 200-300 euro a week, that is a large chunk of money gone from the weekly budget. Some people are really, really struggling. I can totally understand how people are finding it hard, not only to make ends meet, but to cover essentials.

    61
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Miranda O'Reilly
    Favourite Miranda O'Reilly
    Report
    Dec 15th 2013, 1:45 PM

    You right – I’m lucky to have Lidl in my town. And I completely understand how hard it is – I’m separated with one child, not working at the moment.
    Have a Merry Christmas yourself – and if you know who is the reason for this season you won’t be caught up in the shopping craze.

    58
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute realitycheque
    Favourite realitycheque
    Report
    Dec 15th 2013, 1:51 PM

    Miranda,

    No likelihood of getting caught up in the crazy season: I hate shopping :-) Have a very merry Christmas yourself, and your little one too!

    35
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Vanessa Doyle
    Favourite Vanessa Doyle
    Report
    Dec 15th 2013, 2:57 PM

    Fair play getting a bag of shopping in Tesco for € 10.

    40
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Joe Valentine
    Favourite Joe Valentine
    Report
    Dec 15th 2013, 3:24 PM

    £

    6
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Vanessa Doyle
    Favourite Vanessa Doyle
    Report
    Dec 15th 2013, 3:29 PM

    Still cheap!

    9
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Conan Power
    Favourite Conan Power
    Report
    Dec 15th 2013, 8:03 PM

    thats a great idea, even if it costed a few bob each time

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Trevor James Hewitt
    Favourite Trevor James Hewitt
    Report
    Dec 15th 2013, 1:04 PM

    Real and up to date nutrition education needed in schools . Food pyramid is wrong .

    65
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute John Farrell
    Favourite John Farrell
    Report
    Dec 15th 2013, 1:18 PM

    God how I love this country of ours. Not only did it destroy lives, it gave a voice to the silent minority. The people who can sit in judgement on others and tell us where we can buy cheap food. The people who know everything about other peoples lives, jobs and wages and feel the need to make crass comments. No wonder we are screwed

    51
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Noirin Kavanagh
    Favourite Noirin Kavanagh
    Report
    Dec 17th 2013, 12:49 AM

    Indeed! I am beginning to think that the direction these posts are taking is to suggest that the whole country should shop in Lidl, make lovely homemade soup and stews and this will miraculously generate the cash needed to heat your home, pay mortgage arrears, allow the kids the odd treat, such as being able to take part in any of the costly school activities. Lidl is a grand shop, I love homemade soup but even I can see this is no solution to the problem because its full implicit blame, not grappling with the real problem at all.

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Bob White
    Favourite Bob White
    Report
    Dec 15th 2013, 12:57 PM

    your missing a few county’s ;)

    42
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute hjGfIgAq
    Favourite hjGfIgAq
    Report
    Dec 15th 2013, 1:03 PM

    I was wondering how long that would take :)

    53
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Brian Ó Dálaigh
    Favourite Brian Ó Dálaigh
    Report
    Dec 15th 2013, 1:26 PM

    Counties*

    36
    See 4 more replies ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Ivan Vanrentel
    Favourite Ivan Vanrentel
    Report
    Dec 15th 2013, 1:35 PM

    I think bob’s spelling is spot on.

    4
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Brian Ó Dálaigh
    Favourite Brian Ó Dálaigh
    Report
    Dec 15th 2013, 1:36 PM

    No, Ivan. Bob used the singular possessive of county when he should have used the nominative plural.

    29
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Diarmuid O'Connor
    Favourite Diarmuid O'Connor
    Report
    Dec 15th 2013, 1:47 PM

    I believe there are 26 countys marked on the map, and I believe there are 26 countys in our republic. What’s your point ?

    7
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Tom Hara
    Favourite Tom Hara
    Report
    Dec 15th 2013, 5:43 PM

    counties

    8
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Maggie may
    Favourite Maggie may
    Report
    Dec 15th 2013, 1:00 PM

    What veg is sold at 9 cent

    42
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Ciaran Forde
    Favourite Ciaran Forde
    Report
    Dec 15th 2013, 1:10 PM

    Selling onions, parsnips and carrots today for 9c at lidl

    61
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Maggie may
    Favourite Maggie may
    Report
    Dec 15th 2013, 1:18 PM

    Bulls… I am there at the min 49 cent for onions and carrots 99 parsnip busted

    48
    See 4 more replies ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Aunty Simmonite
    Favourite Aunty Simmonite
    Report
    Dec 15th 2013, 1:56 PM

    Aldi today. Carrots, sprouts and spuds 12c. Lidl have onions and celery at 39c, finding these prices is known as shopping around which may be uncomfortable in jammie bottoms in this weather but there ye go.

    36
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Aunty Simmonite
    Favourite Aunty Simmonite
    Report
    Dec 15th 2013, 1:58 PM

    Clemintine, pineapple and melon 12c in Aldi today, that’s yer fruit sorted.

    20
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Aunty Simmonite
    Favourite Aunty Simmonite
    Report
    Dec 15th 2013, 2:09 PM

    I got 2 bags roosters for 2.99 each in Aldi yesterday. 7.5 Kg bags at that.
    Spanish omelettes can look just like pizzas and have more nourishment and an egg is cheaper than a bag of crisps.

    33
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Luke Sullivan
    Favourite Luke Sullivan
    Report
    Dec 15th 2013, 4:40 PM

    I was in my local super valu yesterday sprouts 19c, 10kg bag of potatoes roosters or pinks for e3.50.

    Truth is, you can eat well on very little money. The problem for many is getting to the places in the first place and getting home too with the shopping from lidl or aldi. Afaik neither do home delivery unfortunately.

    18
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute J.Rudd
    Favourite J.Rudd
    Report
    Dec 15th 2013, 6:43 PM

    While the Fine Gael spin continues tonight on RTE about how “Happy days are here again” here is my reality.

    * I am an unemployed trained I.T. teacher/specialist. (Offered two jobs in the last two years but just before I could take either of them, the state pulled the funding and increased class sizes so jobs was thus cut)

    * I am one of six in my household (wife and I, 4 kids).

    * We have no heating whatsoever in our home for the last six weeks – we are looking to be that way into the new year. Its going to be a cold Christmas day. We are all living really in one room in the house where we have a small heater (our esb bills now a week are €50+).

    * Santa’s few presents are coming from donations and charity shops. We have no tree or much in decorations – simply can’t afford it.

    * Christmas dinner is coming from my parents.

    * We are still paying off last years ESB bill (via a top-up meter) due to having to keep electric heating going on at spare times, when we know we can just about afford it. (Our heating had been problematic to say the least for two years. Now its non-existent.)

    * One daughter that has non-curable twisting spinal disorder, Scolioses, who is supposed to be seen at least 2/3 times a year for examination and/or her full body-cast to be changed – now has her very next medical appointment – its over a year away.

    * The government has pulled funding that could have got me employed, they have cut funding that could have got my daughter better treatment, they have cut funding that could have allowed our town water pipes to be fixed – so then we would have heating. The government has cut our basic money. The government has cut the children’s allowance again and again. I could go on….

    So as Enda Kenny speaks tonight with this PR words for the future, I too have hope too for my children.

    My hope is that they survive the cruelty that Fine Gael and Labour are shamefully putting us though and that my kids see hope much better in another land where they will be at least treated and looked after better.

    I do not have hope in Ireland while the present existing political parties continue to keep its people in economic slavery for the next three generations. Future people who will be paying off our bailout loans. People who have had nothing to do with creating the financial mess but being forced into coughing up for their generations, to solve – like it or lump it.

    …I should finally mention that such is our dire family position that I have just today collected free food parcels myself from a soup kitchen in trying to just to help my family get by. In trying to help others, I like others in same problem now offer my help to the soup kitchen free – its the least we can do.

    …And thats the Irish people and my families reality as Enda speaks tonight via the state propaganda station, RTE.

    39
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Dave Doyle
    Favourite Dave Doyle
    Report
    Dec 15th 2013, 8:15 PM

    J.Rudd, the situation you and your family find yourselves in is criminal. With what we read about the top ups in the HSE, charities and government advisors. I dont see many of the comentors above making any comments on your situation as the make judgement on the poor, the prefer to judge fictious situations. I hope things improve for you and yours. You should try and get your situation publicised .

    13
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Luke Sullivan
    Favourite Luke Sullivan
    Report
    Dec 15th 2013, 8:15 PM

    Well said.

    I know it’s a long shot but if you were living down in Cork, I could maybe help out with some firewood to keep you going over xmas and into January.

    19
    See 4 more replies ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Marilyn Maroney
    Favourite Marilyn Maroney
    Report
    Dec 15th 2013, 10:02 PM

    JRudd, come to Chicago, my company always needs I.T. people, we’ve grown from 20 to 600+ in the 8 years I’ve been there, get out of that place!! I know, easier said than done…

    6
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute AyZYVV6F
    Favourite AyZYVV6F
    Report
    Dec 16th 2013, 7:33 AM

    Nice touch Luke Sullivan!

    3
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Patricia Ann McCarthy Moore
    Favourite Patricia Ann McCarthy Moore
    Report
    Dec 16th 2013, 11:58 AM

    J Rudd, your story is a perfect example of what is causing the poverty in this country. People on low incomes are forced to pay extortinate Electricity bills and have no money left to buy food. You are brave enough to tell the truth and it is to be hoped that more people will understand that the profiteering of utility corporations is the cause of poverty in this country. Besides Electricity bills low income families are now expected to pay other exorbitant costs for water and other utilities.

    3
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Martin Gallagher
    Favourite Martin Gallagher
    Report
    Dec 16th 2013, 12:01 PM

    Stop whinging ,try and live on our benefits up North 112 pounds a married couple then talk poverty. The dole should be cut down south and given back to the honest workers subsidizing this lavish lifestyle on the dole.

    2
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Derek Durkin
    Favourite Derek Durkin
    Report
    Dec 15th 2013, 1:25 PM

    New world ideology. If u look at the states as the template, 40% of the population in poverty, 80% of the population one week from poverty,22 thousand kids homeless in New York city alone,obscene wealth being accumulated at the top. Its the new control, the maintaining of the status quo. Debt is control.

    38
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Michael
    Favourite Michael
    Report
    Dec 15th 2013, 3:02 PM

    That’s what happens when you rely on government for “income distribution”

    We’re never going to learn

    11
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Aidan Byrne
    Favourite Aidan Byrne
    Report
    Dec 15th 2013, 1:11 PM

    Think that article is little ott.

    36
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Dane Tyghe
    Favourite Dane Tyghe
    Report
    Dec 15th 2013, 1:18 PM

    Fully agree aidan. No doubt there are people struggling but id say its blown up a bit out of proportion to suit some sectors.

    29
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Dee4
    Favourite Dee4
    Report
    Dec 15th 2013, 1:05 PM

    That could mean chinese take outs Monday to Saturday and no dinner Sunday, need more information and a good selection of examples of what people are spending their money on

    36
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute realitycheque
    Favourite realitycheque
    Report
    Dec 15th 2013, 1:24 PM

    Dee4,

    Why would you automatically assume that people can’t afford to buy food because they are behaving irresponsibly by having take outs every day of the week? Do you honestly think that in the majority of cases where money is that short that it is because people are eating food from their local Chinese restaurant? Why is there so much reluctance to entertain the possibility that many people are living below the poverty line?

    25
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Dee4
    Favourite Dee4
    Report
    Dec 15th 2013, 1:42 PM

    I dont assume its happening, Im suggesting though that people can waste money becuase they dont budget properly or dont know how to cook on a budget. Even something as simple as corn flakes can be very expensive and unhealthy to boot.

    20
    See 10 more replies ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute realitycheque
    Favourite realitycheque
    Report
    Dec 15th 2013, 1:55 PM

    Dee4,

    Most people learn to budget fairly quickly if they can’t eat by the end of the week. You are right, some food is expensive, and unhealthy. I just get very uncomfortable when it seems that people are being blamed for their own poverty. Of course, that is the case in some cases, but many people are just simply struggling. Have a good Christmas yourself.

    20
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Aunty Simmonite
    Favourite Aunty Simmonite
    Report
    Dec 15th 2013, 2:04 PM

    Dee has a point, looking at the contents of folks trolleys in supermarket queues is an eye opener into how some folks consider pizzas and crisps as esentials. Some seem never to have heard of omelettes and stews as a way of feeding their families.

    22
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute realitycheque
    Favourite realitycheque
    Report
    Dec 15th 2013, 2:06 PM

    Aunty,

    Why would we assume that people with pizzas and crisps in their trolleys are the one’s that are missing out on meals at other times of the week?

    15
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Aunty Simmonite
    Favourite Aunty Simmonite
    Report
    Dec 15th 2013, 2:22 PM

    I’m not assuming anything just observing on the contents of shopping trollies and the all to often lack of what could reasonably be described as food in the shopping. Maybe the folks have filled up a trolley with meat and veg earlier and have lots of money left over to buy crisps and ready meals ?

    7
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Luke Sullivan
    Favourite Luke Sullivan
    Report
    Dec 15th 2013, 4:42 PM

    A lot of people use Aldi simply to stock up on junk food, and go elsewhere for the main food stuffs. I’m one of them.

    4
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Aunty Simmonite
    Favourite Aunty Simmonite
    Report
    Dec 15th 2013, 6:30 PM

    You buy junk food Luke :-o I am shocked . Anyway the only supermarket where I did not see trolleys full of junk food was the now defunct Superquinn where i got my coffee beans.
    It just occurred to me reading these comments and all the tips folks are sharing [ I do me own bread too] that the reason that some folks are not feeding right is that they are either untrained or idle. I mean if chaps can make stews and soups and bread why all the moans? A once a month big shop in one of the Germans is not impossible unless folks have pi**ed off everyone they know in the entire world who has a car and talking of cars almost all of my generation can fix their own motors up to a certain point so where did evolution go wrong?

    4
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Luke Sullivan
    Favourite Luke Sullivan
    Report
    Dec 15th 2013, 6:47 PM

    That’s true Aunty.

    Yep, I buy junk food about once a year around Xmas – and that’s it.

    One problem I’m having is trying to stop the veg from going off. I’ve little option but to store it in the kitchen, and the heat from the range turns it very quickly. I keep what I can in the fridge, but we have constraints, nor does it help matters that herself and I eat a totally different diet/foods. We even shop completely separately, and normally cook two separate meals a day too. It’s crazy but we just have completely opposite tastes in food.

    She goes in for a lot of chicken, pork, fish – I wouldn’t touch it. I go through a lot of veg, salads, and beef, eggs etc

    The fridge is normally overpacked because of our 2 separate shops a week, which means the veg stays in the kitchen and goes off in no time. Any ideas on storing it Aunty?

    3
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Pablo
    Favourite Pablo
    Report
    Dec 15th 2013, 6:52 PM

    Just plan your meals each day for the week Luke, if your left with veg on Saturday a good way of storing them is as a soup in the freezer..

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Aunty Simmonite
    Favourite Aunty Simmonite
    Report
    Dec 15th 2013, 7:55 PM

    Good idea Pablo, I have enough fridge and freezer space for most needs but I use up brocolli on the day of purchase then cabbage then carrots and parsnips. Ilike tinned beans with a chop or fish and chips. The harder cabbages keep well and I did once keep carrots and parsnips in sand when I grew for sale ;-) The old fashioned meat safe can come in handy too :-). BTW I have been down the hard road in the past [before many of you were even born ] and this is why I was prepared for all this present ‘austerity’ ,I’m self sufficient to a degree and that’s due to experience and not a boast in any shape or form :-)

    2
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Lyndall O'brien
    Favourite Lyndall O'brien
    Report
    Dec 15th 2013, 10:19 PM

    rural area, no aldi etc nearby,even supervalue c 20 miles. no freezer.. pt work supplemented by jsa = 237 – c 275. rent 100, bills min 35,car insurance,tax and nct c15. so before petrol to get to work shop etc,fuel for fire, food or clothes the outgoings 150, leaving average total 106 for self and son to live on. stop making silly assumptions

    2
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Simon Eales
    Favourite Simon Eales
    Report
    Dec 15th 2013, 2:28 PM

    Bulls**t article. Look up poverty in the dictionary. There is noone dying of starvation in this country. Go live in a sub-saharan African country where people have to walk miles every day for food or water, where if they’re very lucky they’ll have one small meal each day. Then come back and tell me that Ireland is in poverty.

    34
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute realitycheque
    Favourite realitycheque
    Report
    Dec 15th 2013, 2:39 PM

    OED: ‘POVERTY 1. being poor, a great lack of money or resources 2. scarcity, lack 3. inferiority, poorness POVERTY LINE the minimum income level needed to secure the necessities of life POVERTY STRICKEN greatly affected by poverty’ doesn’t mention anything about sub-Saharan Africa or people dying of starvation. We do have a definition of poverty from the European Commission, which is: “Living in poverty may result in a variety of problems, from not having enough money to spend on food and clothes to suffering poor housing conditions and even homelessness. Poverty also means having to cope with limited lifestyle choices that may lead to social exclusion.”

    16
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Barry Gorman
    Favourite Barry Gorman
    Report
    Dec 15th 2013, 2:42 PM

    No one says we’re in poverty Simon. The report says one in ten suffer from food poverty in Ireland. I suggest you look up what food poverty is before you call bulsh1t over a topic you have done no research on.

    11
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Podge
    Favourite Podge
    Report
    Dec 15th 2013, 1:37 PM

    Working in topaz myself and daily a full brown bin of food is filled with stuff from the deli because it’s more then 5 hours cooked.. Can’t understand why they couldn’t donate it somehow

    34
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Silver Fern
    Favourite Silver Fern
    Report
    Dec 15th 2013, 5:09 PM

    Because of health and safety charities aren’t allowed except donations of cooked food from business’s. If someone got food poisoning from food provided by you they could sue the charity and you as well. I know someone working for a coffee shop chain who looked into donating food to a homeless shelter and that’s the reply they were given.

    15
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Tom Smith
    Favourite Tom Smith
    Report
    Dec 15th 2013, 1:10 PM

    So we’re either obese or suffering from food poverty, I wonder which one it is. The use of the word poverty is very emotive and a bit silly in my opinion. I haven’t had a roast in about a year so I must be part of the stats.

    33
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Karen NíDhochartaigh
    Favourite Karen NíDhochartaigh
    Report
    Dec 15th 2013, 1:15 PM

    But was your not having a roast down to the fact you couldn’t afford it or the vegetarian equivalent!???

    12
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Tom Smith
    Favourite Tom Smith
    Report
    Dec 15th 2013, 1:43 PM

    No it’s because it’s straight from a Keith Floyd cook book. I think judging people’s food poverty by whether they eat roasts or not is ridiculous.

    16
    See 1 more reply ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Karen NíDhochartaigh
    Favourite Karen NíDhochartaigh
    Report
    Dec 15th 2013, 8:27 PM

    You’re missing the point. They talk about a roast or equivalent and having meat a few times a week, that doesnt necessarily mean because you’ve not had roast beef you’re in food poverty. But not to worry tunnel vision seems to be a common factor amongst these articles.

    3
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Kerry Blake
    Favourite Kerry Blake
    Report
    Dec 15th 2013, 1:10 PM

    Mean while our government parties because the troika has “left” while Irish citizens do not have enough to eat. Some record to be proud of….

    28
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Dane Tyghe
    Favourite Dane Tyghe
    Report
    Dec 15th 2013, 1:14 PM

    Ah there’s kerry. Ready to revel in negativity. You really must relish a story like this kerry. Even though id say the figures are far from accurate.

    20
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Kerry Blake
    Favourite Kerry Blake
    Report
    Dec 15th 2013, 1:59 PM

    Why would I “relish” reading that some of my fellow citizens are not able to feed themselves or their families?

    I’d say the only person revelling in this story is yourself Dane unable to disprove the story so try and move the story to the poster. Did you and Enda go on the same course for debating?

    19
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Choccie Monster
    Favourite Choccie Monster
    Report
    Dec 15th 2013, 4:10 PM

    There may well be people in difficult financial situations who cannot afford to buy sufficient food for the week and that’s very sad in this day and age. However I believe, based on my experience working with children, that the biggest contributing factor here is poor food choices and lack of education/ knowledge of food or cooking skills. I have seen children whose school lunch consists of a doughnut or packaged pancakes. They never have fruit or veg (despite the school’s healthy eating policy) and seem to go to McDonald’s/ KFC every weekend. They have flat screen TVs and PlayStations but the parents claim that they can’t afford healthy food. I don’t know how it would be workable but thousands of adults in Ireland need education on budgeting for food, choosing cheap, healthy raw ingredients and cooking meals such as stews, roasts, stir fries, homemade soups, etc.

    23
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Tom Hara
    Favourite Tom Hara
    Report
    Dec 15th 2013, 5:42 PM

    I totally agree. My cousin and his horrid partner have a kid. Both him and her are unemployed. Always whinging they have no money. Even saying they cant afford to eat sometimes. Of course she smokes 20 a day and is never off facebook on her pay as you go mobile. And cases like her are replicated by the thousand across Ireland. As I said earlier a bag of pasta is less than a euro.

    25
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Luke Sullivan
    Favourite Luke Sullivan
    Report
    Dec 15th 2013, 5:52 PM

    There’s some truth in that often Tom. I’m by no means suggesting it’s true for everyone. But, what we regard as ‘essential’ now, may not be essential at all. Broadband, Sky, iphones – somehow they’ve managed to make their way into the essential list for some.

    Cigarettes would wipe out anyones budget on SW singlehandedly as you say. If on SW, the first thing to do is give up smoking, unfortunately, it’s also the hardest thing to do.

    19
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Robin Basstard
    Favourite Robin Basstard
    Report
    Dec 15th 2013, 1:27 PM

    I do hope Enda has the decency to thank these good folk for going hungry to save the counrty and Europe. and to let them know it wasn’t their fault.

    20
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Richie Rodgers
    Favourite Richie Rodgers
    Report
    Dec 15th 2013, 1:47 PM

    Robyn
    With over twenty one billion spent on Social Protection payments this year I really have a difficulty in either criticizing the Government or understanding the story.
    I fully accept that problems arise within families for an enormous variety of reasons but lets get to grips with the situation by giving a large proportion of Social Welfare payments in food stamps. Surely that will correct the situation. Perhaps the children’s allowances could be given by way of tokens for utility bills or stamps for children’s clothing. This approach would stop the diversion of monies to alcohol etc.

    14
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute realitycheque
    Favourite realitycheque
    Report
    Dec 15th 2013, 1:59 PM

    Ritchie,

    The majority of the expenditure of the welfare bill is on pensions, but I am sure that you know that already. Yes, problems arise in families for many reasons: unemployment being one of them. There are enough jobs for the amount of people in the country. Why should people, some of whom genuinely want to work, be further humiliated by having to pay for their food with vouchers or stamps? Not everyone is spending money on alcohol, cigarettes, drugs. Vouchers won’t solve the problems for someone coping with addiction either, as the vouchers/stamps could just be sold on for less money than their value if someone has a habit to feed.

    23
    See 2 more replies ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Kerry Blake
    Favourite Kerry Blake
    Report
    Dec 15th 2013, 2:01 PM

    Do you have any figures to show the percentage of the €20 billion being to diverted to alcohol Richie besides I know someone or someone told me a story?

    19
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute realitycheque
    Favourite realitycheque
    Report
    Dec 15th 2013, 2:07 PM

    Should read *NOT enough jobs for the amount of people in the country.

    12
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Mary Walshe
    Favourite Mary Walshe
    Report
    Dec 15th 2013, 3:43 PM

    There should be free compulsory classes on nutrition for young families, to teach them that convenience food is neither cheap nor healthy. Our generation grew up with food created from scratch. A large bag of spuds, veg, a big bag of porrridge, a large pack of eggs and a few loaves of whole meal bread along with a few tins of beans should be the basis for everyone’s weekly shopping. All these thing are available cheaply in Lidl/Aldi. And if you live within walking distance, buy a shopping bag on wheels, the walk will do you good. Thankfully I am not in that position but I feel that too many young parents take the easy convenience food route. If the dole was only paid out on condition that these classes were attended, we’d have less obese children and parents. Don’t mean to be sanctimonious about it. And while I’m at it, why isn’t Transition year at school used to teach young people these life skills, such as budgetting, child care, basic cooking, driving, banking etc etc. jobs there for tutors and kids well equipped for future everyday life!

    20
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Matthias Baumann
    Favourite Matthias Baumann
    Report
    Dec 15th 2013, 1:29 PM

    Where do these numbers come from?

    I am sure that food poverty exists in Ireland but the numbers seem too high!

    What about the people that don’t eat properly by choice and still go to the bookies or in the pub 5 times a week?
    As I said I’m sure it exists but I don’t get these numbers

    18
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Sandra Duffy
    Favourite Sandra Duffy
    Report
    Dec 15th 2013, 1:42 PM

    Those people you are talking about exist all right and it’s their wife and children that are going without while he feeds his habit. Every middleaged man you see who is a daily regular in the pub and bookies or up at the counter daily buying his bottle will most likely have a wife who regularly has to pretend shes not hungry so her kids will fill up on what is available.

    25
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Matthias Baumann
    Favourite Matthias Baumann
    Report
    Dec 15th 2013, 1:52 PM

    I see dozens of them every day and I always feel sorry for their wives and kids!
    This is a big problem in Irish society.

    17
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Dom AcePlazo
    Favourite Dom AcePlazo
    Report
    Dec 15th 2013, 1:53 PM

    It’s just a simple case of mismanagement of benefits, don’t forget, Ireland is the ultimate freeloaders destination on earth.

    16
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Derek Richardson
    Favourite Derek Richardson
    Report
    Dec 15th 2013, 1:37 PM

    Dont worry it will be all sorted out in the speech tonight

    14
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute B
    Favourite B
    Report
    Dec 15th 2013, 1:03 PM

    I was waiting for someone in the comment section to say: I’m starving now.

    This smart ass must be still in bed or out Christmas shopping.

    14
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Frank
    Favourite Frank
    Report
    Dec 15th 2013, 3:09 PM

    These figures cant be correct. 10 % of the population are missing meals through poverty. I doubt that.

    11
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Aunty Simmonite
    Favourite Aunty Simmonite
    Report
    Dec 15th 2013, 3:26 PM

    Poverty is big business these days.

    8
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute molly coddled
    Favourite molly coddled
    Report
    Dec 15th 2013, 4:32 PM

    The nearest Aldi supermarket where I live is over 10 miles away, if you are not privileged enough to own a car the return bus fare is over 7 euro.

    It is a shame we condemn and disbelieve these figures, and it is very easy do do this when our bellies are full.

    The fact is, food poverty is very real for a lot of people.

    Help those less fortunate please do not condemn them.

    8
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Luke Sullivan
    Favourite Luke Sullivan
    Report
    Dec 15th 2013, 4:56 PM

    It’s a pity Aldi and Lidl don’t do home delivery. If they did, they’d certainly many a supermarket out of business overnight.

    6
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Marilyn Maroney
    Favourite Marilyn Maroney
    Report
    Dec 15th 2013, 5:14 PM

    Luke, and also give the delivery people jobs

    5
    See 3 more replies ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Luke Sullivan
    Favourite Luke Sullivan
    Report
    Dec 15th 2013, 5:19 PM

    Unfortunately if Lidl and Aldi didn’t want to run a delivery service themselves, I’d say it would near impossible for a local guy with a van to step in and do it as a little business, as it just wouldn’t pay when you factor in having to do the shopping for the person, and delivering too.

    4
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute molly coddled
    Favourite molly coddled
    Report
    Dec 15th 2013, 5:40 PM

    Luke, Aldi and Lidl are low cost because they keep costs to the very bare minimum, low wages, minimum staffing levels etc., if they were to offer a delivery service this cost would be passed on to the consumer therefore raising the cost of their products.

    5
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute molly coddled
    Favourite molly coddled
    Report
    Dec 16th 2013, 12:52 AM

    Only 4

    Shame on you

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Kirby Matt
    Favourite Kirby Matt
    Report
    Dec 15th 2013, 2:33 PM

    Don’t believe anyone can live on €180 a week in this country. It’s to easy for people to point however don’t forget these people have other bills such as rent fuel etc.

    As a nation in the west these are shocking statistics, when you think how much is been spent on infrastructure in Dublin, this is a joke and shows the total mis management of a country that can produce 40 times the amount of food it needs to fit itself. We definitely need to bring in food stamps within social payments so that our nations children Are not going hungry due to their parents addictions

    8
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Michael
    Favourite Michael
    Report
    Dec 15th 2013, 2:58 PM

    Yeah because food stamps isn’t just a short term solution that relies on dependancy.

    Have you seen food stamp numbers in the US?

    5
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Luke Sullivan
    Favourite Luke Sullivan
    Report
    Dec 15th 2013, 4:58 PM

    I can’t see how anyone could survive on e180 either unless the rent too is covered, then you’d have a good chance if you had a little ingenuity and frugality.

    3
    See 4 more replies ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Tom Hara
    Favourite Tom Hara
    Report
    Dec 15th 2013, 5:48 PM

    Anyone on 180 a week dole is a single person. No dependants. I lived on it for a year in 2009. Rent in a comfortable shared house… 70 a week. Toiletries etc 10 a week. Gas, electricity, upc… 15 a week, food 35 a week. Gym membership 15 a week. 35 left. Not alot but I didnt starve. That 35 was used for train or bus fares going to interviews etc, I even stretched a decent night out once a week.

    Then I claimed an additional 45 a week rent allowance. Was able to buy clothes if needed etc. Its very doable.

    13
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Kirby Matt
    Favourite Kirby Matt
    Report
    Dec 15th 2013, 8:13 PM

    A night out on 35 euros, and I thought time travel hadn’t been invented yet. As for a train journey for 15 euros, was it in a theme park.

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Tom Hara
    Favourite Tom Hara
    Report
    Dec 15th 2013, 10:41 PM

    Train return from maynooth to dublin mid week is 8 euro

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute molly coddled
    Favourite molly coddled
    Report
    Dec 16th 2013, 1:31 AM

    What would you class as a little “ingenuity”

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Marilyn Maroney
    Favourite Marilyn Maroney
    Report
    Dec 15th 2013, 5:12 PM

    I don’t live in Ireland, but I would have never thought there was so much poverty by walking around Grafton Street or over near the shopping area where the Spire is( forget what it’s called) I’m shocked

    7
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Jacinta O'Shaughnessy Foley
    Favourite Jacinta O'Shaughnessy Foley
    Report
    Dec 15th 2013, 9:38 PM

    Aldi had carrots potatoes sprouts pineapples melons and clementines all at 8c a bag today

    6
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Frank Lennon
    Favourite Frank Lennon
    Report
    Dec 15th 2013, 6:34 PM

    One word: shameful.

    It is pretty unseemly, in a country with such a significant social issue in the 21st Century, as “food poverty” that the current powers that be are waiving the Troika off with one hand and with the other hand patting themselves on the back and shamelessly spinning the yarn of a “job well done”.

    The current inappropriate trumpet blowing is deafening.

    The latest nonsense being spun by those in Leinster House (who need to get out more) is, that “austerity will end in 2016″. Could it be that a general election is due to take place in 2016? Naw. Never.

    The Leinster Houser’s are spot on in one thing though; their brand of austerity will come to a screeching halt in 2016 as those members of the electorate who have suffered worst under the effects of this lots screw them and woo them policies will be into ballot box payback.

    Anyone hear the loud promises in the last few days about the “easing of the tax burden for middle income Ireland”? The income figures for those who would likely benefit from any such move were quite specific; those above €30,000.00 pa.

    So, if you are on €29,999.00 pa or less then tough brown stuff folks.

    At a recent Dublin press conference during which he was being asked about Ireland’s post “bail out” position Michael Noonan stated: “We must continue with the same types of policies, because the deficit is too high. It has to be brought down below 3 present, and then it has to be brought into balance in subsequent years. The debt is too high and we have to have strategies to make the debt even more sustainable than it is now.”

    So, there you have it folks; from the horse’s mouth: “we must continue with the same policies”.

    The spun rubbish about austerity ending in 2016 is just that: rubbish.

    As long as we continue with the layers of new multiple taxations which have been inflicted on us over the last five years then de-facto we will be continuing, indefinitely with austerity. Make no mistake about it there is a very specific political ideology being followed here, which under the cover of Troikaism over the last five years, has been given its head in ways in which under any other circumstance would have not been tolerated by the Irish electorate.

    In a comment in today Indo under the article entitled: “Austerity to end by 2016 – Election time” contributor: Uibh_fhaili had this to say:

    “Fine Gael is a traditional party of the rich and wealthy class. A wealth tax would bring in more than the Family home tax is currently generating, but Kenny and his cohorts do not want to fall out with friends of their party. This mindset typically sums up the ideology of the party”.

    5
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Michael
    Favourite Michael
    Report
    Dec 15th 2013, 2:57 PM

    Why does the “government” need to supply this?

    Why can’t we just give ourselves instead of some bureaucrat guessing where the aid should go?

    This place is a pure nanny reactionary state.

    5
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Dave Doyle
    Favourite Dave Doyle
    Report
    Dec 15th 2013, 6:32 PM

    The government will be very happy for you to do its work.

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Dave Doyle
    Favourite Dave Doyle
    Report
    Dec 15th 2013, 6:40 PM

    Its no wonder the parasites in government get away with fleecing the people of this country when you read the comments from some of the self appointed critics of the poor here. Looks like we are doomed to have the same parasites in government year after year. The lies and spin have turned people into cannibals, they turn on their own rather than the parasites.

    5
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute John O'donnell
    Favourite John O'donnell
    Report
    Dec 15th 2013, 3:31 PM

    Will our dear leader Enda mention it in his address to the nation tonight ?

    4
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Fatima Murtaza
    Favourite Fatima Murtaza
    Report
    Dec 15th 2013, 3:24 PM

    Where do v donate food/ money to help people in need? Any organisation in specific? Know any soup kitchens in Dublin?

    4
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Sean O'Connor
    Favourite Sean O'Connor
    Report
    Dec 15th 2013, 2:58 PM

    These figures are from 2010 so perhaps there is an over-estimation? For instance the price of food has decreased from 2010 as per CSO figures on the CPI.

    4
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Norman Hunter
    Favourite Norman Hunter
    Report
    Dec 15th 2013, 3:34 PM

    Food prices in some areas have decreased.Staples have increased however; also the pressure on income ,new taxes and charges have increased considerably since 2010.

    9
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Buckwheat MacMillan
    Favourite Buckwheat MacMillan
    Report
    Dec 15th 2013, 5:39 PM

    Paper clips may be a more cost effective alternative.

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute stephen mcgarry
    Favourite stephen mcgarry
    Report
    Dec 15th 2013, 6:05 PM

    I’m sure a large amount of people in this survey have some bad habits such as smoking drinking etc …you can go to Iceland and buy packets of chicken strips for 2 euro you get 9 in it and a big bag of chips for 2 euro if they smoke and bought at least 2 packs a week your talking 7 bags of chicken and 3 bags of chips that’s 7 days food for a family of 3.I know there is people in this survey who genuinely can’t afford food but I’d say a lot of the just have priorities wrong.And anyone who smokes would smoke more than 20€ a week on smokes.

    3
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Stephen Harmon
    Favourite Stephen Harmon
    Report
    Dec 15th 2013, 6:53 PM

    J Rudd my last comment was not in reply to your comment just a general comment. Sorry to hear of your troubles. That is tough. Get to SVP.

    2
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Ciaran Scally
    Favourite Ciaran Scally
    Report
    Dec 15th 2013, 5:27 PM

    Misleading Headline , should read ”This map shows food poverty ‘is a reality in every one of the 26 counies in Republic Ireland’…..no data available for the other 6.

    2
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Cumidhe O'Fhloinn
    Favourite Cumidhe O'Fhloinn
    Report
    Dec 15th 2013, 6:11 PM

    I was wondering what that big county in the North East was called

    2
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute molly coddled
    Favourite molly coddled
    Report
    Dec 16th 2013, 12:34 AM

    If I fell over in front of you ?

    Would you help me up ?

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Kelli Malone
    Favourite Kelli Malone
    Report
    Dec 16th 2013, 11:18 AM

    I’m self employed, not by choice but circumstance. I’d love to see an article here that addresses the issues self employed people face. We pay high taxes, pay prsi and USC, yet we have access to the dole and are refused social welfare. Many of us are not even scraping by, we’re the invisible economic class here in Ireland. And as a class, we are suffering.

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Ann Murphy
    Favourite Ann Murphy
    Report
    Dec 15th 2013, 4:54 PM

    If u get the indo i think today theres 20 euro off when u spend 100….that’s nothing to do with the article just letting people know.

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Ann Murphy
    Favourite Ann Murphy
    Report
    Dec 15th 2013, 4:56 PM

    For Aldi..sorry

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Stephen Harmon
    Favourite Stephen Harmon
    Report
    Dec 15th 2013, 6:47 PM

    Meat factory stores can be good if you can find one near you, 20 large chicken fillets for €25

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Stephen Tomas Quigley Jnr
    Favourite Stephen Tomas Quigley Jnr
    Report
    Dec 7th 2015, 2:19 PM

    What a load of crap

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Esmonde Kelly
    Favourite Esmonde Kelly
    Report
    Dec 15th 2015, 4:21 PM

    Two years later,is there an update on this?

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Noirin Kavanagh
    Favourite Noirin Kavanagh
    Report
    Dec 17th 2013, 12:33 AM

    Thats right Moso, you clearly cant understand it, but please note that doesnt mean it isnt happening. As previous contributions have described very well how food poverty arises, cheap deals notwithstanding, why not just think it through – more money due out than is coming in = a shortfall, therefore something has to be done without. Weeks and months of shortfall and you have grinding, depressing poverty, worse if you have dependents. This the real cost of the bailout, a generation lost to forced emmigration, or to life in poverty, not because they are lazy or incompetent, but because of the policies of our overlords in the EU, our lacky government and the sheepish Irish citizens who rolled over and took whatever they were given.

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Andrew Coll
    Favourite Andrew Coll
    Report
    Dec 15th 2013, 10:33 PM

    right this has to change no we dont have food and i wont accept it from you ass hole charities because of the way people look at me !! now what happens if i dont eat ?

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Roisin Casey
    Favourite Roisin Casey
    Report
    Dec 16th 2013, 4:36 PM
    1
Submit a report
Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
Thank you for the feedback
Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.
JournalTv
News in 60 seconds