SVP calls on Government to act on poverty

The Saint Vincent De Paul (SVP) charity today appealed for the Government to use next month's Budget to help the most vulnerable and disadvantaged in society.

The charity, which has 9,000 volunteers working to help tens of thousands of people in Ireland, used the launch of its annual report today to appeal to the public for financial assistance.

SVP revealed it needs almost €2.8 million per month to meet demand for its services. It gets 80 per cent of its funding from private donations.

In its report, which was launched by President Mary McAleese at a ceremony in Dublin, the charity revealed it spent a total of €33.3 million last year, including donations to families of €7 million in cash, €4.2 million worth of food and €1 million worth of clothes and furniture. SVP also met poor families' education costs of €3.0 million and fuel costs of €2.8 million.

SVP national president Brian O'Reilly said "we are living in one of the most unequal countries in the developed world." A recent United Nations Human Development Report revealed that some 600,000 people, or 15 per cent of the population, are at risk of poverty.

He blamed Government policy for the "uneven distribution of the fruits" of Ireland's economic success. "The richest ten per cent of the population are nearly ten times more wealthy than the poorest ten per cent," he said.

He said the recent "extremely robust" Exchequer figures and the positive growth forecast meant that the Government was in a strong position to help those in need.

"Future generations will not easily forgive us if we do not use this time to build a more equitable and just society" he warned.

SVP called for a raft of measures to be introduced in the Budget to help tackle the poverty problem. Foremost among them are for adult social welfare rates to be increased by €17 to €165.80 per week and the building of up to 12,000 social housing units every year until 2012 to meet need.

In terms of education, the Government is urged to provide five mornings a week of child care and education for all children before they begin formal schooling. Pupils from families on social welfare or low incomes should receive free school books, SVP said.

Mr O'Reilly claimed that Ireland has an "inequitable" health care system. He called on the Government to deliver on its commitment to provide 200,000 full medical cards above 2001 levels, arguing that the 'Doctor Only' medical card is an "inadequate response to the health needs of low income households".

The Society provides a range of services other than financial assistance to families. It also organises home and hospital visits and community development projects. It runs youth clubs, pre-schools/crèches, breakfast clubs and helps in financing short holiday breaks for children, families and the elderly.

Over 1,200 people are currently housed in its 18 hostels and 66 social housing developments and it runs over 120 shops. The society also works with prisoners, Travellers, refugees, asylum seekers and other immigrants.

St Vincent de Paul's Annual Appeal runs for a week from Sunday December 4 ^th. Donations to the Society can be made locally or sent to SVP, Box 1234, Dublin 1.