Focus Ireland, the charity that works with homeless people, yesterday called on the Government to put a price control on key foodstuffs and to ensure that welfare payments are sufficient so people can eat healthily.
The call came as Focus Ireland officially launched its three-week, healthy eating campaign, with emphasis on serving a range of healthy options from its low-cost restaurant in Temple Bar, Dublin.
Focus Ireland is also offering a five-day e-learning course on food hygiene, preparation and health promotion through training and discussion groups.
Daithí Downey, policy analyst with the charity, said research carried out last year on behalf of the Combat Poverty Agency found that healthy eating was not feasible for people on low incomes in Ireland.
Focus Ireland's own research into food poverty in 2003 also found that people who were homeless suffered from poor diet and inadequate nutrition.
At Focus Ireland's low-cost restaurant yesterday patrons enjoyed a three-course meal for €1.50 - it was just 75 cent for children. Yesterday's menu had tomato and orange soup, a steak pie main course and a rhubarb dessert with yogurt.
The Irish Heart Foundation officially presented Focus Ireland with a Happy Heart Healthy Eating award at its restaurant in Temple Bar yesterday in recognition of its healthy cooking options.
"The food here is as good in terms of nutritional value as any restaurant around here," said Mr Downey.
Focus Ireland's Declan Jones said that because homeless people living in hostels must leave their emergency accommodation early in the morning and cannot return until the evening, many people eat food that will fill them up rather than nutritious food.
At Focus Ireland's restaurant yesterday was Eoin Doyle (27) from Tallaght, who said the healthy eating tips and low-cost recipes on the back of the menus were very useful.
"It looks and tastes good. If it's backed by the Heart Foundation we can't go wrong. In terms of being on a budget, it's the only place to go."