Society ‘will pay price if those in difficulty not helped’

ONE of the country’s largest charities has said society would pay the price for failing to help those on inadequate incomes battle through the worst effects of the recession.

At its pre-budget presentation yesterday, the Society of St Vincent De Paul (SVP) said it had seen a huge increase in calls to its regional offices in the first nine months of this year, highlighting the deepening need of many families and individuals around the country.

In the Dublin regional office, calls have soared by 39% compared to the same period last year, while in the Cork office the number of calls has rocketed by 53%. The Galway office has had a 36% increase in calls.