Call to protect vulnerable from cuts

Politicians and the public were today urged to pledge their support to protecting vulnerable households from further cuts.

The Poor Can’t Pay group launched an online campaign to stop those who depend on social welfare from being targeted in the next Budget.

It revealed it plans to lobby all TDs, senators and councillors to commit to the cause on www.thepoorcantpay.ie

Dr Mary Murphy, spokeswoman, said: “We all know that there are more cuts on the way.

“The Poor Can’t Pay is calling for a clear recognition that the people on the lowest incomes in Irish society have already been asked to carry more than their fair share of the burden and their incomes should not be cut further.

“If we can promise our public servants that they will face no further cuts in income – why can’t we make the same commitment to our most vulnerable?”

The Poor Can’t Pay is a coalition of leading community organisations, charities and trade unions including Age Action, Barnardos, EAPN Ireland, Focus Ireland, Irish National Organisation of the Unemployed, Mandate, the National Women’s Council of Ireland, Siptu, Saint Vincent de Paul and Social Justice Ireland.

They stressed those on lower incomes have already been hit during the economic crisis, from job losses to 5% reductions in social welfare payments.

Dr Murphy said while the Croke Park Agreement protects the wages of public servants next year, Government was unable to offer those on the lowest incomes the same assurance.

“The campaign is seeking support from all sections of Irish society but will particularly seek to get TDs, senators and councillors to make enter into the commitment,” added Dr Murphy.

Elsewhere, housing charity Focus Ireland called on the Government to make the provision of homes for people most in need an immediate priority.

Mike Allen, director of advocacy, said it welcomed a commitment by Environment Minister John Gormley to protect the budget for homeless services and accommodation.

“This commitment is especially vital at this time as there is currently a major reconfiguration of homeless services being undertaken in Dublin which aims to move people stuck in emergency accommodation into homes with long-term tenancies,” he said.

“We are now at a critical point in the battle to end long-term homelessness.

“Focus Ireland believes that the Government will fail to meet its own target of ending long-term homelessness by the end of this year unless the provision of homes is made an immediate priority by the whole of Government.”

Meanwhile Depaul Ireland paid tribute to its 129 volunteers who have worked almost 4,200 hours since the start of the year.

Kerry Anthony, CEO of the homeless charity, said the cost of the time and effort given would be beyond its financial capacity.

“We have seen an impressive amount of volunteer hours tallied up since the beginning of the year,” said Ms Anthony.

“Without this donated time certain projects wouldn’t enjoy the value added services which is brought by volunteers.”