€1.5m funding for two groups working to alleviate poverty

Over €1.5 million in funding is to be provided to the Society of St. Vincent de Paul (SVP) and Protestant Aid, it has been announced.

The Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys and Minister of State with responsibility for Community Development and Charities, Joe O’Brien, this week confirmed that The Society of St. Vincent de Paul is to receive funding of €1.41 million, while Protestant Aid will receive €180,000.

Minister Humphreys said: “This funding is in recognition of the contribution that SVP and Protestant Aid make to the alleviation of poverty in Ireland. It will help both organisations to continue to work with and support some of the most vulnerable people in society.

“This funding is particularly important given current cost of living increases and will help SVP and Protestant Aid with, for example, the provision of food support, household and education support, as well as addressing energy and fuel poverty.

“I want to acknowledge and thank both organisations for the fantastic work they do, ensuring families who find themselves in hard times are supported in every way possible.”

Rose McGowan, National President of the Society of St Vincent de Paul, said: “The continuing support from the Department of Rural and Community Development is a very welcome and an extremely important contribution to our work in assisting struggling individuals and families throughout Ireland.

“This is especially important given the current impact of the cost of living increases on the people we support. It is a challenging time for those people with imminent back-to-school costs and the prospect of further energy increases.

The support from the Department is allocated throughout the country, ensuring we are able to assist where the need is greatest.”

Also welcoming the funding, David Webb, the CEO of Protestant Aid, said: “Due an unprecedented number of requests for assistance, we are more grateful than ever to the Department of Rural and Community Development (Social Inclusion and Communities Fund) for their vital contribution to our work. As always, 100% of the funds we receive from the Department are granted to those most in need without any deduction for overhead or administration costs."