Poverty still a major issue for families living on low income - SVP anticipate no reduction in calls for help in 2019

Celebrating its 175th anniversary this year, the Society of St Vincent de Paul (SVP) experienced even more calls for help than anticipated in the lead up to Christmas.

Today, January 1, 2019, the Society stated it is expects no slowdown in the need for their services in the year ahead, that poverty remains a serious issue for so many Irish families who struggle to manage on inadequate incomes.

Early in November last, SVP National President Kieran Stafford predicted that the Society would receive about 50,000 calls for help over the winter months.

This will be exceeded in the New Year as the Society has already received almost that number in November and December 2018 alone.

Calls for help to the Society are now over 130,000 a year about 11% more than five years ago, with families requesting help with the basics: the cost of food, fuel, education and utility bills.

“We are increasingly receiving calls for help from people unable to meet growing costs of private rental accommodation and being forced to make choices about the use of scarce income", said Mr Stafford.

"The improvement in our economy is very welcome but it has not improved conditions for everyone. Our 11,500 members across Ireland see the stark reality behind the statistics for thousands”, he said.

Mr Stafford also said that people who struggle to make ends meet week in and week out are often chastised for their circumstances, particularly if they are homeless or out of work, through no fault of their own.

"The Irish are a generous people, the support that SVP and many charities receive shows that. But often those who ask for help are viewed as somehow the cause of their own misfortune. Those who struggle to avoid or escape poverty deserve our support and empathy” he added.

This year is the 175th anniversary of the SVP in Ireland. During that time it has provided help and support to those most in need through the famine in the 19th century, two world wars, an uprising, a civil war and continuing cycles of economic recession and ensuing austerity.

In addition to providing direct assistance to those in need, SVP manages 10 hostels providing emergency beds, provides almost 1,000 units of social housing, operates 5 holiday homes, 7 Resource Centres, 4 prison visitor centres, 224 charity shops and other social support activities. It also has an active Young SVP programme in schools and third level colleges and universities.

From the outset the Society favoured a practical, direct approach to dealing with poverty, an approach that remains to this day. The support that SVP provide in terms of financial, practical and emotional ways may not be exactly what Blessed Frederick Ozanam had in mind when he founded the Society in Paris in 1833, “But the spirit that drove him and his friends to serve those in need is exactly the same as that which drives our members and volunteers in Ireland today” said Kieran Stafford.

The Society also made an appeal to persons who received book vouchers which they may not use, to donate them to the SVP which will distribute them amongst the families they serve.

‘WordPower’ began in 2016 with Michael Boyle, a SVP member in Tallaght, who began bringing new books to families being visited.

“The introduction of books for the children in families went down very well” he said. The idea has now been adapted by the wider East region as a pilot project which will run until June 2019. SVP recognises the importance of education in helping people out of poverty and helping every child reach their full potential.

For more information, see svp.ie">[email protected]

NB Feature image shows SVP Christmas poster appeal, which saw the anticipated 50,000 calls for Winter 2018-2019 almost reached in November and December 2018 alone.