Mr Noel Clear, president of the St Vincent de Paul Society, has called for "the development of an ethos that reflects in a real and meaningful way concern for marginalised people in parishes and communities" throughout Ireland. There was, he felt, a preoccupation in communities with development and environmental matters to the detriment of the human needs of members. He called for "a real communal effort to reach out to those in need".
Mr Clear was speaking at the launch in Dublin yesterday of the society's annual report and its Christmas appeal. It disclosed that last year Vincent de Paul spent over £16 million, an average of £1.3 million a month "or £44,000 a day fighting poverty in Ireland". "This increase of almost 22 per cent (in the society's spending over the previous year) should destroy the myth that there's no poverty left in Ireland," he said.
Of the £16 million spent, £4 million was provided in cash, up 12 per cent on the previous year. Over £2 million was spent on food, £1.5 million on fuel and heat, over £800,000 on clothing and furniture, and £542,000 on education. The society also provides 107,574 bed nights in 13 hostels, and 460 homes for the elderly in 39 sheltered housing developments.
"The reality is that despite the booming economy there are still many who are forced to live on the margins and who cannot rely on having the basics most of us take for granted," Mr Clear said. In many instances these were people who were incapable of seeking employment, either because of personal or family problems or because of a lack of basic skills.
While welcoming current economic progress, he said that "we need to ask the question as to whether the competitive nature of society and the burning desire for wealth and material goods tend to crush compassion and respect for those on the margins".
While everyone had a responsibility in this regard, this was especially the case for "the Government and those in leadership roles throughout the various segments of society". He was particularly critical of the social welfare and childcare elements in last week's Budget.
"Keeping pace with inflation is no longer adequate", he said.
Ms Mary Murphy, who deals with society policy, said welfare increases should keep pace with wage growth and therefore those announced last week should have averaged between £5 and £6 a week per recipient. Child benefit should be at £100 a week per child, as opposed to the current £30, she said. "That would have cost £200 million, which we could have afforded and still can afford," she said.
She was also "surprised" at the inadequacy of the childcare provisions announced in the Budget. Calling for a reinforcement of "that sense of community in our parishes throughout Ireland which the pressures and patterns of life in our new Ireland are putting in danger", Mr Clear said: "There will always be in society people who are fragile and vulnerable and not able to cope."
