Launching the charity’s annual fundraising car draw, the SVP South-West regional president, Mary Frances Behan, said that they received more than 18,600 requests for help in 2025 - a 20% increase on the previous year

SVP South-West regional president Mary Frances Behan said demand for assistance is growing, with a rising number of requests coming from individuals and families across the city.

The regional coordinator for the Society of St Vincent de Paul (SVP) South West, Gerry Garvey, said he expects August to be “a huge pinch-point” for those in need.

Calls for assistance to the Society of St Vincent de Paul have more than doubled over the past decade. 

SVP president Rose McGowan said more people in work who need help are coming to them

20 cents from every copy of The Echo sold today will go towards a very deserving cause, in the shape of the Society of St Vincent de Paul (SVP).

A new report from the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul (SVP) has found the numbers of people unable to heat their home more than doubled in 2022

The overall demand for the SVP services are up almost 20 per cent compared to last year. Almost half of requests came from one parent families.