SVP accuses Government of ignoring poor

One of the country's largest charities today accused the Government of ignoring the plight of the poor.

In a pre-budget submission released today, the Society of St Vincent De Paul  (SVP)  said there was a "growing disbelief" that poverty could exist in a society that is supposedly as prosperous as Ireland.

This, according to the SVP, was a dangerous misconception. It said thousands of people "are engaged in a daily struggle of emotional and financial brinkmanship" in order to survive.

SVP lists a series of measures, which it costs at almost €4 billion, that it wants introduced to benefit the thousands of families it says are living in poverty.

First among these is a reversal by the Government of 15 cuts in social welfare benefits and eligibility contained in last year's budget. "These saved Government €58 million but caused real fear and misery among those affected" said Professor John Monaghan, the SVP vice-president.

The charity called on the Government to raise all social welfare payments by €20 a week from the current minimum adult social welfare rate of €134.80 per week, and for old age non-contributory pensions to go up by €14 to €168 per week. Increases in child benefits and the removal of all on minimum wage from the tax system are also sought.

The cost of these various measures would be in the region of €2 billion annually, the charity estimates.

The current housing waiting list of 60,000 households is also a target for SVP, which wants a minimum of 8,500 homes built next year at a cost of €1.8 billion.

To help mothers get back into the workforce, SVP is suggesting free education session for all three-year-olds. It also wants the back-to-school clothes and shoes allowance brought from €70 to €150 for primary pupils and from €50 to €200 for those in secondary level.

In the area of health, SVP wants to see the Government restore medical card coverage to at least the 2001 level. This would require 100,000 cards being provided, at a cost of €80 million. It also wants the Government to honour its commitment in the Health Strategy of 2001 to provide a further 200,000 cards.

Professor Monaghan pointed out that Irish economic growth has recovered; tax receipts are above expectations; Government borrowing is well below target; unemployment is relatively low and interest rates are also low.

"So we now definitely have an opportunity for fairness in how national resources are allocated" he said.