St. Vincent de Paul expects to spend €3million to assist people in need with additional fuel costs in coming months
The Society of St. Vincent de Paul (SVP) expects to provide up to €3m in the coming months to help the many people struggling to meet their fuel bills following the worst Winter in decades.
The SVP says that its ability to assist people in this way is due to the tremendous response from the Irish people to its recent annual appeal.
In the Dublin Region a €1million special fund has been established following thousands of calls to the SVP Dublin office seeking help with Gas, ESB, Coal, Oil and Fuel bills.
Rose McGowan, President St. Vincent de Paul Dublin said today that Society volunteers will target this special fund to people most in need.
“The one million euro is to help those hardest hit particularly elderly people and families on low income/social welfare”, said Ms McGowan
Ms McGowan said, “those who seek help will be visited by Society volunteers to assist with fuel costs issues quickly and in a way that lifts the pressure and worry we are hearing every day”.
She said some people calling the Society for help were turning off heat as they are so afraid of the bills. “The fund is a response to unprecedented need and the Society is grateful to the generous public who have made this possible”.
The Dublin Region has a network of over 3,000 volunteers all over Dublin, Wicklow and South Kildare. For help through Dublin Region Emergency Fuel Fund phone 01-8550022.
Other SVP Regions will be using their own local resources to alleviate difficulties with fuel bills in their Region.
€800,000 of the amount available to the SVP has been donated by Bord Gais. ESB Customer Supply has also made a generous donation to the SVP general funds, some of which will be used with those most in need to provide assistance with fuel bill payments.
A full list of SVP Regional offices can be obtained by calling the SVP National Office at 01 8386990 or log on to www.svp.ie