THERE has been an increase in the number of people in Donegal reaching out for help from St Vincent de Paul to deal with the rising cost of living.
The charity is becoming increasingly concerned about the pressures families are under as fuel and food costs soar.
Speaking to the Donegal News Regional President of SVP North West, Rosa Glackin said they are seeing an increase in people coming to them in urban areas of the county but expects the rising fuel costs to impact rural areas badly.
“We are seeing an increase in more urban areas rather than rural areas. I think this will change because of the increase in fuel costs. People in rural areas need cars to travel to work, to go to get the shopping or get to a doctors surgery.
“There has been a huge rise in the cost of food. The very basics like milk and butter are increasing rapidly and I would be concerned about that. The family budget is pretty stretched and I would be concerned about the nourishment the family is able to afford on a budget.”
The Society is currently working on their pre-budget submission that will appeal to the government to provide supports for those struggling. So far this year St Vincent de Paul has recorded over 78,000 calls for help nationally – approximately a 20 per cent increase on last year.
“We are pleading with government to look at people who are on low incomes, who are very stretched and are in need of some sort of boost or lift or else more and more people are going to slip into poverty,” said Ms Glackin.
back to school
She is particularly concerned about what lies ahead in the autumn when the demand for fuel increases and parents come under huge pressure with back to school costs.
“It is a very busy time for us and it will be very costly this year,” said Ms Glackin.
“For parents with children starting off in university the cost of accommodation and maintenance is astronomical and a lot of our students have to travel to Galway or Dublin for college.
“We are very keen to support our students. One of the problems is that the SUSI grant is often delayed and there is a gap between September and when the grant kicks in and that puts a strain on families.”
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