- Social welfare spend for 2008 down 35% from 2007 Budget.
- Child income support spend for 2008 down 20% from 2007 Budget.
- SVP spending over €43m (in over 40 activities) fighting poverty and exclusion.
The Society of St. Vincent de Paul today met with the Joint Oireachtas Committee for Social and Family Affairs in Dublin - and expressed its serious concern for the plight of people existing on social welfare supports and those in low-income households.
"It is clear that the actual expenditure planned in Budget 2008 is down €410m (-35%) and child income support has been cut by €50m (-20%) compared with Budget 2007" Professor John Monaghan (SVP National Vice-President) told the Committee.
The Society is fully aware of the prevailing economic climate but has also been aware since last year that the circumstances for persons and families dependent on social welfare or in low paid jobs has deteriorated very sharply.
"The recent EU Europa Database 2008 Consumer Price research shows Ireland second only to Denmark for price increases since 2006" Professor Monaghan said.
He said that in the past year alone the prices of basic foodstuffs in Ireland have soared. Flour prices are up 46%; bread is up 23%; milk is up 33%; eggs, butter and biscuits are also significantly dearer.
"Food price increases hit the lower paid and those dependent on social welfare hardest as they have to spend a higher proportion of their income on the basics" Professor Monaghan added.
"Our 9,500 volunteers make over 300,000 visits every year - providing over 2 million free volunteering hours - so we see the real pressures people are under in today's Ireland" he said.
SVP Concerns for 2008 Spelled Out to JOC Comittee
With 720,000 people in Ireland living on less than €219 per week (individual)/€508 per week (family of four); with over 280,000 in consistent poverty (less than €210 per week and also lacking basic essentials) including 100,000 children, SVP says it is not acceptable for the poor to be asked to 'wait' yet again now that the economy is slowing.
The Society discussed its urgent concerns for 2008 with the JOC and called for action on the key issues of:
- The cap on Rent Supplements which means tenants having to borrow to bridge their 'rent gap'.
- The generally very poor quality of private rented accommodation available to those on low income or social welfare.
- The rising food and energy costs inflation which has a very significant impact on low income households.
- The introduction of a carbon tax which will have the biggest impact on poorer households struggling with waste management and fuel costs.
- The working poor and rising unemployment which means that SVP is now helping people not seen since the late 1990's.
- The increasing social isolation of individuals and families both rural and urban.
- The probable increase in consistent poverty resulting from inadequate incomes and food/energy deprivation.
SVP looks to JOC Members for Support
Professor Monaghan thanked the members of the JOC for their interest in the work of the Society and expressed the hope that they would use their influence to help address the real concerns of SVP.
"The Society is helping people change their 'nightmares' into 'dreams'" he said.
"But for poverty to be tackled in a more systemic manner requires the commitment of those elected to run the State" he concluded.