SVP fears budget will hit lone parents trying to return to work

The Society of St Vincent de Paul, which is helping more than 8,000 families every week, fears the December budget will hit lone parents hardest, especially those struggling to get back to work.

SVP head of social justice and policy John-Mark McCafferty said lone parents suffered disproportionately in Budget 2012 and there were tangible fears they could be hit again.

Mr McCafferty said the society was particularly concerned that there might be a further erosion of welfare to work supports which people parenting alone required.

“This is a clear concern for us,” said Mr McCafferty.

The charity has sought an urgent meeting with the minister for social protection to ensure that there are no further cuts to one parent families in the budget.

At the launch of the SVP’s pre-budget submission yesterday, its national president, Geoff Meagher, said the Government must take every opportunity to ensure that those who could afford it must take a greater share of the burden.

The SVP is concerned that, in spite of the rhetoric about protecting the most vulnerable, the Government is imposing severe hardship on people with the lowest incomes and least resources.

The SVP has published a booklet entitled The Human Face of Austerity that describes how some people are struggling to cope financially.

More than 400,000 home visits are made by 10,500 SVP volunteers every year and the booklet lists more than 30 cuts to supports and services already imposed on those on low pay and receiving social welfare by the austerity programme.

Mr Meagher said SVP volunteers met many people who were struggling and did not realise that their situation is replicated across the country.

Here are some of the stark statistics outlined in the SVP’s document:

* 175,000 households struggling with mortgage payments;

* An estimated 200,000 households using moneylenders;

* 300,000 energy plans made last year;

* 29,000 families reliant on Family Income Supplement, 10% in low- paid civil/public servant positions.

The SVP recently brought these statistics to the attention of the troika and called for a review of the Government’s austerity programme.

Mr Meagher, who has been a member of SVP for 30 years, said the problems people were experiencing were more complex — they were struggling to pay mortgages and bills as well as put food on the table.

SVP is spending more than €70m per annum helping individuals and families in need.