High levels of poverty unacceptable, says President Higgins

President Michael D Higgins has lashed out at Ireland’s growing poverty crisis after revealing that a Dublin city food centre is handing out 1,700 food parcels for working and homeless people every week — a rate 400% higher than in 2008.

President Higgins outlined the situation as homeless campaigner Br Kevin Crowley said his Capuchin day centre group is providing 560 dinners and nappies for almost 100 families every week, contradicting claims the recession is over.

Speaking at the 250th anniversary of the opening of the Presentation Primary School in Dublin’s inner city on the same day as new Central Bank mortgage rules were published, Mr Higgins said Ireland’s wealth gap “challenge” remained an ever-apparent threat.