“The Society of St Vincent de Paul in Ireland has faced many challenges over its 176 years in the country. But the current COVID-19 pandemic is probably one of the most difficult,” said new president, Rose McGowan.

The Central Statistics Office (CSO) data on Enforced Deprivation shows almost 900,000 people were going without basics prior to the pandemic – an increase of over 140,000 from the previous year. More than one in five children are now experiencing enforced deprivation.

The Society of St Vincent de Paul in Northern Ireland has opened a bridal wear shop in Portadown, where brides-to-be and mothers-of-the-brides can shop for the outfit of their dreams in total comfort.

Accessible by appointment only, Vincent’s Wedding Suite carries a stock of more than 50 new and pre-loved white [...]

“This generous donation of 2,000 books will greatly benefit so many children and families across the country,” said SVP national president Kieran Stafford.

“The concentration of job losses in low paid sectors means that the impact (of COVID-19) has disproportionately fallen on groups that are least able to endure a financial hit,” said Kieran Stafford, national president, SVP.

All Vincent's stores in the republic now open at 10.30am, to help staff and volunteers get themselves, the shop premises and the stock 'COVID containment' ready.

"We are grateful that the NI Executive listened to us," said Patrick Friel of the SVP, which wants the Dublin government to do the same.

Young SVP saw the worry and anxiety among students during the COVID-19 restrictions and decided to produce the video to offer support, encourage them to talk about their anxieties, and tell them that help is on hand.

But it could also be an opportunity for the new government to learn some lessons about how education could be designed more equitably.

It was humbling to visit Simon Armagh to offer our support and to speak and pray with the residents and staff, says Archbishop Martin.

"Our fear is that the impact of the pandemic will be most acute for individuals and families already living in poverty," said SVP president Kieran Stafford.

"We fear moneylenders will end up targeting people who will just not be able to repay loans at the exorbitant interest rates they are charging," says SVP president Kieran Stafford.

“Participants will have to think about and calculate every item they consume. However, this is the reality of hundreds of thousands of people in Ireland every day,” says SVP national president Kieran Stafford.

The SVP Resource Centre in Galway, 'Croi na Gaillimhe', has been renamed Maureen O’Connell House as a lasting tribute to the benefactor's memory

"In our experience, the biggest driver of poverty in recent years is housing costs," says SVP president Kieran Stafford, calling on voters to exercise their electoral power to make politicans reduce the misery of poverty in Ireland today.

“The high cost of energy here in Ireland should be considered a key contributor to utility arrears and the inability of people to adequately heat their homes,” says the SVP’s Dr Tricia Keilthy.

“Like a Christmas Angel, your gift of hope could bring little miracles to those who need it most this winter,” says SVP national president Kieran Stafford.

"We are indebted to the continued support from the GAA clubs and supporters in Co. Antrim in helping brighten the festive season,” said Pauline Brown of the SVP.

"It is totally unacceptable for a rich country like Ireland that so many children have no place to call home,” said SVP National President Kieran Stafford.

‘We don’t believe that this budget protects those most vulnerable in the event of a No-Deal Brexit,’ says SVP national president Kieran Stafford.

Among the tens of thousands of Irish who have visited the shrine are President John F Kennedy, Grace Kelly, Brendan Behan and Seamus Heaney.

“These costs contribute to financial stress and worry in low income households and can cause a negative and stressed attitude towards education.”

Irish society is becoming increasingly cashless, and the way charities are collecting donations is changing to reflect this.

Reading from a young age provides many benefits including greater development of a child’s imagination, concentration levels, linguistic ability and self-confidence.

“People should come to Vincent’s shops because they want to, not because they have to.”

“If I hadn't been supported, I wouldn’t be a nurse today. I’d probably be homeless.”

“The greatness of the story of the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul is the witness of those men and women who became real friends with the poor.”

“Even though times have changed fundamentally since then, the core need still continues to be much the same.”

“A social housing policy that relies so heavily on the private rented sector can never be the answer to the housing problem.”

In Ireland, the Society of St Vincent de Paul receives more than 130,000 calls for assistance a year – about 11 percent more than it did five years ago.