Indirect taxes ‘cause growing food poverty problem’

FOOD poverty is a growing problem in Ireland — one of the world’s wealthiest countries.

St Vincent de Paul (SVP) vice-president Professor John Monaghan said the consequence of the move from direct to indirect taxation in this country was that people on low disposable incomes found themselves paying tax on things not previously taxed. "Remember, low income families spend about a third of their income on food," he said.

"In real terms, they spend a lot less euros than you and I, and the consequence of that is they tend to spend it on food that is convenient and easy - so they will buy burgers, chips, bread - but they tend not buy fruit and vegetables.

"These simply are not affordable."

Access to good quality, reasonably priced food is an increasing concern for disadvantaged social groups, according to a study commissioned by three major charities.

Food poverty was described by Professor Monaghan yesterday as the inability to have an adequate and nutritious diet, due principally to cost and access problems.

People most likely to experience food poverty are those on low incomes as well as the unemployed, the elderly, the homeless, Travellers and refugees/asylum seekers.

"The big factors are not having enough money with which to buy food and not buying appropriate food or not being able to cook it properly," said Professor Monaghan.

Irish food banks, run by the Crosscare charity, distributed 590 tonnes of free food last year. SVP spent €3.4 million on food in 2003 and makes about 220,000 visits to people in need every year.

The European Federation of Food Banks estimates that up to 40 million people in the EU suffer food poverty. Director of the Combat Poverty Agency, Helen Johnson called for food poverty to be made a policy priority.

On Sunday SVP will celebrate 160 years in Ireland and Professor Monaghan said the fact a charity was so long in existence said something about our society.

"When you consider there were children who went to school today and were it not for the breakfast clubs we provide they would have been hungry that is an indication of the inequalities that are within the system," he said.