11.5% of Offalians experiencing food poverty

The percentage of people experiencing food poverty in Offaly is topped by only two other counties in the country, according to new figures.

The “Hungry for Action” report by Mandate and Unite trade unions shows that 8,900 - or 11.5 per cent - of people living in Offaly have missed a meal in the last fortnight due to lack of money, can’t afford a meal with meat (or vegetarian equivalent) every second day or can’t afford a roast once a week.

The only counties with a greater proportion of its residents estimated as experiencing food poverty are Donegal and Tipperary, while Monaghan is recorded as having a similar proportion as Offaly on the bread line.

President of St Vincent de Paul’s Conference of the Assumption in Tullamore Paraic Moran backed up the report’s figures, saying demands on his organisation are “way up”.

For more on this story see tomorrow's Offaly Independent.