SVP spends €100,000 per day fighting poverty

The St Vincent De Paul’s (SVP) annual report shows that the charity is spending almost €100,000 a day fighting poverty in this country.

The report says the gap between the rich and poor in Ireland is the widest in the EU.

Its annual spend last year was €33m, which is now up 14%.

The charity says demands on its services are growing all the time and the level of phone calls to its head office are up 80%.

SVP launches its annual appeal for funds today and is calling on the Minister for Finance Charlie McCreevy for measures in the Budget to lift more families above the poverty line.

It says this could be done through improvements in social welfare, taxation, social housing, education and medical cards for under 18s in low income families.