Farmers are one of the most deprived groups in Irish society, a report published by the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) has revealed.
The report found farmers, local authority tenants and those without educational qualifications at most risk from poverty in the areas of housing and health.
Seven per cent of Ireland's population faces deprivation, according to the ESRI, and anti-poverty campaigners are calling on the incoming government to tackle the problem.
"The report points out that farmers are a vulnerable group, particularly with regard to housing and health deprivation directly related to low incomes on many Irish farms," Irish Farmers' Association Rural Development chairman Padraig Divilly said.
"Farmers also need social welfare supports through improved pension provision and Farm Assist assessment," he said.
Mr Divilly said farmers should devote time to review their pension cover under both State pensions and supplementary private pensions.
The ERSI study found the unemployed, lone parents and those with less than a Leaving Cert education are most at risk from lifestyle deprivation. It also found that those who experience one form of deprivation are more likely to experience another.
"For maximal deprivation, labour market inactivity and illness or disability are powerful predictors," an ESRI spokesman said. "Education is also a strong influence and so is being an urban local authority tenant."
The European Anti Poverty Network (EAPN) has called on political parties to ensure the elimination of poverty is a priority for the next government.
EAPN co-ordinator Robin Hanan said: "There are no concrete targets to reduce poverty for specific target groups like lone parents, and the objective of eliminating long-term unemployment has been abandoned entirely.
"These are two of the groups most identified as being at risk by the ESRI, and for these reasons the plan has consequently been the subject of justifiably harsh criticism from anti-poverty groups."