I propose to take Questions Nos. 1401, 1402, 1404, 1413, 1415 and 1417 together.
Pobal’s HP Deprivation Index is Ireland’s primary social gradient tool, used by many Government Departments, including my own, and state agencies for the identification of disadvantage, in order to target resources towards communities most in need.
The Index is a robust and reliable tool, using data from Ireland’s census to identify relative levels of affluence or disadvantage across geographic areas throughout the country.
The HP Deprivation index uses a number of variables to determine area deprivation scores, however it is not a tool for collection and reporting of specific metrics such as median income, fuel poverty levels or levels of child poverty in particular areas.
I would recommend the deputy contact the Central Statistics Office who may be in a position to provide the requested information.