REVEALED: Total number of bankruptcies in Kilkenny last year

THE South East had one of the highest levels of bankruptcies compared to other regions in 2018, new figures reveal.

In Kilkenny there was a total of 17 bankruptcies in the city and county last year.

Kilkenny’s bankruptcy levels were joint twelfth highest in the country in 2018, according to debt analysis experts Stubbs Gazette following an examination of trends last year.

Neighbouring Carlow had the joint fifth highest bankruptcy levels, with 21 recorded per 100,000 people in the survey.

Waterford was fourth highest with 22, while Tipperary came second with 24, just behind Cavan (25) which recorded the largest number of bankruptcies in 2018 per 100,000 people.

According to Stubbs, the statistics on the regional spread of debt judgments and bankruptcies indicate a lack of lending in these regions by the major financial institutions when compared to Dublin and surrounding counties.

The figures reveal some Border and Midland counties are also experiencing a significant credit crunch.

The data also shows a much lower proportion of debt judgments being registered in counties such as Donegal, Monaghan, Cavan, Tipperary and Offaly. However, these counties also have a high proportion of bankruptcies per head of population.

Some 135 bankruptcies last year occurred in Dublin, but the county was the fourth lowest for bankruptcies per head of population.