Charity launches attack amid anniversary celebrations

IRELAND’S largest charitable organisation launched a stinging attack on the Government’s social policies last night as it celebrated its 160th anniversary serving the people of Cork.

“Despite the so-called Celtic Tiger, many thousands of families and individuals still rely on the Society of St Vincent de Paul (SVP) to make ends meet,” the society’s regional president, Mairéad Bushnell, said.

“The fact that we are still so busy is a bad indictment of Ireland’s ongoing social policies.”

Ms Bushnell was speaking ahead of a special Mass in the city to mark the anniversary of the SVP’s first meeting in Cork.

Although the country’s social services have improved, Ms Bushnell said SVP is dealing with increasing levels of relative poverty.

The society is dealing with more and more immigrants and its 700 volunteers in Cork city and county are dealing with generations of the same families who are locked in a vicious cycle of poverty, she said.

“The issues around poverty are more complex now,” she said.

“But the lower social sector gets left behind all the time. The rising tide doesn’t lift all boats.”

Last year, the SVP spent almost €4 million in the Cork region on food, fuel and direct financial support for those in poverty.

Thousands of people availed of the society’s vast range of services.

“We believe that it is not enough to provide short-term material support,” Ms Bushnell said.

“Those we serve must also be helped to achieve self-sufficiency in the long term and the sense of self-worth this provides.”

The SVP had its first meeting in Cork in St Finbarr’s South Church on August 23, 1846.

Bishop John Buckley celebrated Mass there last night to mark the anniversary.