Voluntary groups - Charities need our full support

It is an unpalatable fact that in a time of economic boom, voluntary organisations, which lift a considerable burden from the State’s shoulders by way of providing vital services, are all too often the victims of that healthy economy.

The Samaritans, along with other organisations, such as Aware and the St Vincent de Paul Society, are experiencing problems because of a lack of volunteers to help them out.

The Samaritans, for instance, are at their lowest level of volunteers since 1973, although the demand for their 24-hour services is escalating. Since 1989, their complement of volunteers has fallen from 2,500 to 1,700 last year.