SVP services to be hit as donations fall 25%

The Society of St Vincent de Paul may be forced to cut back vital appeal services this Christmas after suffering a 25% slump in donations due to the Central Remedial Clinic top-ups scandal.

The organisation — which provides care to families and children on the periphery of society — revealed the situation as it urged people not to turn their back on the charity sector.

A spokesman told the Irish Examiner that despite the recession, its annual appeal donation levels have remained stable in recent years at over €1.2m.