SVP to run out of cash reserves after Christmas

THE Cork branch of St Vincent de Paul is set to run out of reserves after Christmas, such is the scale of demand for the charity’s help during the economic crisis.

Brendan Dempsey, who is the charity’s regional president, said people working for the organisation had “never seen things so bad” and its ability to provide for the growing band of needy people is facing “crisis point”. Mr Dempsey revealed that, last year, the charity spent over €5 million helping 30,000 people in Cork city and county. The final figure for this year is expected to be considerably higher, as calls to its helpline are up 43% so far.

“It’s quite probable that we will help more than 50,000 people in the region before this year is out,” said Mr Dempsey.