'More working poor' seeking help from St Vincent de Paul

Gerry Garvey, Regional Coordinator, Saint Vincent de Paul; Karen O'Donoghue, Managing Director, Irish Examiner and The Echo, and Anne McKernan, Regional Fundraiser, Saint Vincent de Paul announcing the annual charity partnership - 20c will be donated for every print sale of The Echo and Irish Examiner on December 16, and €5 for every new digital subscription made in December. Picture: Larry Cummins

The spectrum of those who need financial help to keep the lights and heating on is widening, a leading charity has warned.

The Society of St Vincent de Paul (SVP) said despite the government’s energy supports and other cost-of-living measures, it is seeing “more working poor” seeking its help than ever before against a backdrop of high energy costs, an accommodation shortage, and soaring rents.