Sir, – I wish to clarify points made in your report "Gap between rich and poor is widening", (Home News, December 2nd). The report stated research produced by Social Justice Ireland claims the top 20 per cent of earners increased their disposable income and actually became better off over the past five years.
What the report states and what the research and data show is that the top 20 per cent have seen their share of disposable income grow significantly in this period. So while all income deciles (including the top 20 per cent) saw a fall in the disposable income available to them over the period, the share of the overall disposable income of the country going to the top 20 per cent increased. – Yours, etc,
MICHELLE MURPHY,
Research and Policy Analyst,
Social Justice Ireland,
Arena Road,
Sandyford,
Dublin 18.