MacGill Summer School: The number of telephone calls to the Society of St Vincent de Paul doubled in the first six months of 2003 compared to the same period last year.
And the direct link between the downturn in the economy and poverty-related matters was starkly evident last month when the organisation received 793 calls from people requesting assistance or a visit, compared to just 272 in June 2002, according to Prof John Monaghan, national vice-president of the SVP.
Revealing the figures yesterday, Prof Monaghan said: "Clearly not only has poverty and social exclusion not gone away but it is in fact increasing now that the economy has faltered."
Addressing the MacGill Summer School in Glenties, Co Donegal, on the theme of "Building a more civilised society in Ireland", he noted that the recent surge in national prosperity had contributed to a significant reduction in "consistent poverty".
This term applies to those living on low incomes who also lack basic necessities, such as one substantial meal each day or the ability to meet household expenses without falling into debt. This fell from an estimated 15 per cent of the population in 1994 to 6 per cent in 2000.
However, he pointed out, this still meant that around 200,000 people were in this bracket.
He highlighted the dramatic increase in the numbers living in "relative poverty". This refers to those living on incomes below 60 per cent of the national average.
The numbers falling into this category had increased from 16 per cent to more than 22 per cent, representing 800,000 people, he said.
"It has sadly been the experience of the SVP, supported by evidence from independent surveys and analyses, that as a direct result of combined government budgetary policy and changing public opinion, we have in fact steadily brought about a two-tiered society."
The old "trickle-down and catch-up model" of economic growth had failed and was in urgent need of an overhaul, he said. The argument so beloved of some economic commentators, that the rising economic tide lifts all boats, was "a cruel nonsense".
Interestingly, the income of the SVP increased by over one-third between 1997 and 2001 - from €18.7 million to €25 million. This appeared to suggest that people favoured the approach of assisting voluntary organisations that tackle social exclusion rather than a more formal process involving increased taxation and income distribution, said Prof Monaghan.
Meanwhile, the problems caused by alcohol abuse were highlighted by Dr Joe Barry, president of the Irish Medical Organisation.
He said the drinks industry was now saying things that the tobacco industry said 30 years ago, such as "our product does not cause much damage" and "advertising does not increase consumption".