'The current cost of living is worse than last recession' - SVP

The vice president of St Vincent de Paul in the north west has said there is concern whether or not people will have enough heat and food to survive this winter.  

Mrs Rosa Glackin said: “Normally we give out a fair amount of coal around Christmas time and the price of coal has gone through the roof - so we are concerned about the cost of that. Families are finding it hard to heat their home and it will get worse and not many families can afford oil. You’d be concerned that people have enough heat and enough food to survive the winter. The slogan from our campaign is that people are choosing between food and heat and that can be seen on the ground in Donegal.”

Cash-strapped individuals and families are struggling to pay rising bills and mortgages and are ringing the St Vincent de Paul (SVP) charity in efforts to make ends meet. Mrs Glackin urged people to lift the phone and place that first call if they feel they need financial help and reminded people calls are confidential. The number of calls to the organisation increases in the lead up to Christmas on an annual basis. 

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She said the recent budget payments and supplements have been positive and beneficial for people but added there is a growing fear over what will happen next year: “However, we are concerned as to what will happen in the new year. If we have a bad winter and these allowances are finished what happens then?” she said.

Each Christmas the charity finds themselves inundated with calls and Mrs Glackin foresees this year being the same despite mild weather, so far. Grocery bills are increasing daily and people are trying to put money aside in an effort to manage for Christmas. 

“The cost of modern living is a greater challenge to us than the last recession,” she said.

People who have to travel to hospital due to illness are also feeling financial strain.

“Particularly in Donegal with illnesses in the family - you have the added issue of people having to drive to Dublin and Galway and the expense incurred there. There are so many issues out there,” she said. 

The spiraling cost of education is also driving people towards the organisation seeking help. Mrs Glackin said the price of rent for students at third level education has greatly increased and said parents who have two children at college and university are finding it hugely difficult. 

“Again, the public continue to be extremely generous and our shops are doing extremely well so we are very grateful to the people who are supporting our shops without them we wouldn’t manage,” she said. 

She urged people to get in touch with SVP: “I would appeal to people who are struggling and stressed to please get in touch because I know that the first call is difficult but it is confidential and we are very anxious to reach out to people,” she said.   

The national appeal takes place on the weekend of December 9 and it is hoped that people will support the chariable organisation so that the organisation can continue to support those who need it.