Grants delay leaves SVP ‘inundated’ with requests for help

DELAYS with the back to school clothing and footwear grants have left the country’s largest charity inundated with pleas for help.

More than 40,000 applicants for the allowance are still awaiting word on their applications just days before the new school term begins with waiting times of up to a month still in prospect in some counties.

The Society of St Vincent de Paul (SVP) described the delays as “intolerable” and said they were placing huge pressure on the charity as families sought help to buy uniforms and shoes. John Monaghan, SVP’s national vice-president, said the charity spent over €4 million on education costs last year – a 10% increase on 2008 – and a further rise was expected this year with the worsening recession.