SVP spent €75m in 2010 to help the poor

THE Society of St Vincent de Paul (SVP) spent €75 million last year on people experiencing poverty and exclusion.

It said calls for help from people struggling with poverty, debt and unemployment almost doubled in the last three years.

As well as providing services, the SVP has provided €16m in cash assistance, over €9m for food, €6.7m on energy and over €4m on education costs.