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