‘Political courage’ can combat poverty

POLITICAL courage and leadership is urgently needed to tackle society’s deep-rooted economic problems, a leading charity claimed yesterday.

Launching its pre-budget submission, the Society of St Vincent De Paul demanded the Government take action to break the poverty cycle faced by almost 300,000 people nationwide. It is calling for social support increases, from welfare and child benefit to financial help with household, healthcare and educational costs.

Mairéad Bushnell, SVP national president, said: