Recession sees 30% increase in calls to St Vincent de Paul

The largest charity in the country says it's now spending €1bn a week providing assistance to those struggling in the recession.

The largest charity in the country says it is now spending €1m a week providing assistance to those struggling in the recession.

St Vincent de Paul says calls for assistance have increased by up to 30% in some areas this year, and that a quarter are from first-time callers.

It is making its pre-Budget submission to Government today and says there is no moral or economic justification for social welfare cuts in the Budget.

"We're spending about €1m a week - about €50m a year" said John Monaghan, national vice president of St Vincent De Paul..

"Last year we spent over €6m on food, nearly €4m on education, nearly €4m on heating".

"There's absolutely no moral or economic justification for cutting welfare. When you think of it most of the income that people on welfare get is spent in the local communities - it'll keep some people in a job" he added.