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SVP expecting record number of calls and says families will 'continue to struggle' this winter

The charity’s head said one-off payments fell far short of what’s needed to address the cost-of-living crisis.

THE SOCIETY OF Saint Vincent de Paul launched its annual winter appeal today, saying the charity is expecting a record number of calls this year – mostly requesting help with food and energy during the festive season.

SVP National President Rose McGowan said that while the one-off payments announced in the Budget were welcome, they fell far short of what’s needed to address the continuing cost-of-living crisis. 

“We would prefer that it is weekly payments, which means people can budget. It’s up to the government though,” McGowan told The Journal today. 

“There are many people who will continue to struggle to meet basic family expenses. particularly on special occasions such as Christmas.

“Those hardest hit will include one parent-families, low-income workers; households on fixed social welfare incomes; low-income households in rural areas; people with disabilities and their carers.

“That is why we are seeking donations to help families pay for food, heat their homes and ensure their children get a decent Christmas.”

The charity had recorded over 180,000 requests for help by October – up 1.4% on the same time last year.

“Help with food and energy continue to be the main reasons,” McGowan said.

Broadcasters Marty Whelan and Mary Kennedy were on hand to launch the appeal, alongside fellow presenter and podcaster Doireann Garrihy. 

Adding his voice to calls to support the appeal Whelan told The Journal

“I think if there are problems, there should be long term solutions. If people are in difficulty and you can help them now, help them now, but let’s also work in the long term.”

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    Mute Tony Gleeson
    Favourite Tony Gleeson
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    Nov 12th 2024, 4:22 PM

    Give a decent pension to people who paid tax a prsi

    77
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    Mute Louis Jacob
    Favourite Louis Jacob
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    Nov 12th 2024, 5:23 PM

    @Tony Gleeson: The top 5% in Ireland are touching 50% of the wealth. Anyone who makes it to 66 deserves a dignified pension, regardless of what you think their contribution was.

    39
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    Mute Paul M Doe
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    Nov 12th 2024, 11:57 PM

    @Louis Jacob: hard work pays off

    4
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    Mute Dere
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    Nov 12th 2024, 4:54 PM

    Government will provide lip service and spend millions gaslighting us in their media that inflation ain’t a thing.

    43
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    Mute 087 bed
    Favourite 087 bed
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    Nov 12th 2024, 5:42 PM

    When you look at all the money squandered by FG and FF including the Apple tax its a crime that people are forced to live like this.

    34
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    Mute Johnny Wilson
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    Nov 12th 2024, 10:39 PM

    @087 bed: Apple tax hasn’t been spent yet, with the bulk of it not even transferred yet

    5
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    Mute Mental Mickey
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    Nov 12th 2024, 5:15 PM

    God help them and may we all have a blessed Christmas of joy.

    27
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    Mute Pork Hunt
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    Nov 12th 2024, 6:06 PM

    Government policy is to tax profit less than income. We look after bogus economic migrants in unlimited numbers , we can’t have money for everyone , especially the local population. We need to welcome every sub Saharan African that can get here and give the free food free housing free language classes and hope they are not criminals as they have no paperwork at the airport.

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    Mute Phillip Smyth
    Favourite Phillip Smyth
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    Nov 12th 2024, 8:13 PM

    We are a third world country with plastic bottles salvaged everywhere by roaming migrants everyone has jeeps, and pensioners are freezing
    Shame on these people looking to be re-elected.

    22
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    Mute John Mcmahon
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    Nov 12th 2024, 7:43 PM

    And yet people will vote FG and FF
    Never mind the Green Torys

    13
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    Mute Johnny Wilson
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    Nov 12th 2024, 10:41 PM

    Proper budgeting skills need to be taught at school. We have one of the most generous welfare systems in the world, yet so many are still incapable of managing money.

    13
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    Mute Padraig O'Brien
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    Nov 12th 2024, 7:37 PM

    If only Apple ir some other corporation would give us afew billion – oh sorry I forgot that Pascal on the other economic brains have informed us that it wouldn’t be “prudent” to spend the money on alleviating poverty. Or anything useful like that!

    11
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    Mute martin finnegan
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    Nov 12th 2024, 8:01 PM

    Yes dont forget to vote ff and fg the reason will be record numbers.

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    Mute SV3tN8M4
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    Nov 12th 2024, 11:10 PM

    And we have Politicians of every hue along with the Irish MSM, telling us we are a wealthy Nation, maybe in their bubble ! Their constant Marie Antoinette moments are going to lead to big shocks on Polling Day, the people are angry & listening to all these fakes lying & promising everything doesn’t work anymore. Reality for the majority is not reality for the top 10%.

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