15% increase in requests for help to St Vincent de Paul

THE Clare branch of St Vincent de Paul has seen a 15% increase in people seeking its services, compared with the same period last year, The Clare Champion can reveal.
Clare area president with St Vincent de Paul, Cathal Oaks outlined that since the recession has hit, the voluntary body has seen an increase in people requiring services.
“In terms of the recession, it’s often difficult to gauge but requests for services are up by 15% on this time last year and that’s not taking into account that a lot of immigrants have returned home. There are people who would never need the service that need us now,” he said.
Mr Oaks explained that those seeking their services are often put in dire circumstances by simple unforeseen expenses and can find themselves needing help to get out of the situation.
“To be honest, the people who have contacted us didn’t rise with the Tiger and they are still struggling, caught up in the poverty trap. In some cases, we have been assisting people whereby the crisis that caused them to get in touch is small. We are definitely coming across those who had been working and now they have lost their jobs or families that have small businesses and are barely getting by,” Mr Oaks outlined.
Asked about whether the recession is attributing to homelessness, Mr Oaks said, while he couldn’t attribute this directly to the recession, the Laurel Lodge Hostel in Ennis “is full almost all the time, so you can draw your own conclusions there”.
He added that with the current climate and impending Budget, St Vincent de Paul hopes it will not be axed.
“As it is part funded by the Government, we are concerned and there are huge worries there that it will be cut,” he said.
Another concern he has in advance of the December Budget is the school transport scheme.
“It presents with difficulties like, if there isn’t a culture of education in the household then the children may not go to school,” Mr Oaks explained.
The St Vincent de Paul operates on a one-to-one basis and once contacted each individual’s needs are assessed by the organisation and issues are dealt with in a confidential capacity.
Mr Oaks outlined that a range of services are made available to those in difficult circumstances through their volunteers, many of whom have a wealth of experience and include bankers and solicitors. These volunteers are available to help with queries free gratis relating to their profession to those in need of assistance.
Other services that can be accessed include food vouchers, clothing and fuel and oil needs.
In the run-up to Christmas, Mr Oaks explained that the holiday period will be particularly difficulty this year following the cancellation of the social welfare Christmas bonus.
But while pockets are being hit across the county and demand for their services has increased, St Vincent de Paul has acknowledged that they have not be hit hard. 
“In fairness, the response has been positive from the public and I think there is a recognition by people in the county that there are other people in difficulty and they are still giving. We will be launching our Christmas appeal in December and we are very aware of the fact that businesses are struggling so we would expect that to come through this year,” he said.
Contact St Vincent de Paul at 065 6824188 and the parish office on 065 6824043.