Pre-Budget Submission 2025 - Delivering an Equal and Inclusive Budget
In 2023, over a quarter of a million calls and requests were received through SVP’s regional offices and local Conferences. Food and utility bills made up most requests but many more were in touch because of back-to-school costs, additional educational needs, third level costs, household goods, furniture, clothing, support with health-related costs, issues with mortgages and rent or funeral expenses. Almost 30,000 people reached out to SVP for the first time, many of whom are working in low paid jobs unable to make ends meet.
But is there hope on the horizon? According to the latest data from the Central Statistics Office, the Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose by 2.6% between May 2023 and May 2024 with the rate of inflation slowing month on month in the past seven months. We have also seen energy suppliers cut prices, however prices are nowhere near the level they were at prior to the energy crisis.
The cost-of-living crisis continues for people in poverty – low pay, lack of adequate income supports, rising housing costs and homelessness, deprivation among refugees and asylum seekers, unaffordable childcare and lack of transport are just some of the challenges people are facing.
This year’s Pre-Budget Submission focuses on the key areas that we believe will have the biggest impact on the lives of people experiencing poverty, social exclusion, and lost potential. This is the final Budget of the current Government which has faced a pandemic, cost of living crisis, ongoing housing crisis, war in Europe, and an increase in those seeking protection here in Ireland. In an increasingly divisive world, Government must offer hope and show leadership based on the values of human dignity, social justice, equality and the collective good of society. These values must carry through Budget 2025 and into the next Programme for Government.
