People on 'verge of despair'

JAMIE SMYTH, Social Affairs Correspondent

People managing to eke out a living on social welfare payments are "heroic" and should not bear the brunt of cutbacks in the budget, a leading charity has said.
The Society of St Vincent de Paul said yesterday people were already "on the verge of despair" and asked the Government to balance social and economic needs in the budget to ensure those who can afford more, contribute more.
It said it has experienced a 35 per cent increase in the number of calls for help in 2010, compared to the previous year. Half of these calls concern requests for basic essentials such as food and fuel.
Last year the Society spent €66 million helping individuals and families in need. It estimates this figure will increase in 2010.http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2010/1104/breaking52.html?via=mr