SVP records more than 260,000 requests for help in 2025

The Society of Saint Vincent de Paul (SVP) has recorded more than 260,799 requests for assistance in 2025, a 6% increase on 2024, with demand rising sharply in the lead-up to Christmas.

SVP said December requests were 12% higher than last year, highlighting the added pressure on households during the winter months.

Food remained the biggest driver of need, with SVP receiving 112,772 requests for food assistance in 2025, up 8,548 on 2024.

The charity said food requests exceeded 10,000 per month for four months of the year.

Requests for energy-related support also climbed, with SVP recording 33,224 requests for energy assistance in 2025.

SVP said November 2025 was its highest-ever month for energy requests.

Louise Bayliss, SVP Head of Social Policy, said the figures “only capture part of what households are facing this winter”, adding that for many people on bill-pay, “the first real winter bills are only now landing”.

“The worry is that the full impact of higher energy costs will become clear as the winter progresses,” she said.

Bayliss said figures show that over 300,000 households are in arrears on their electricity bills, with more than 180,000 behind on gas bills.

“In recent years, energy credits provided vital relief,” she said. “Without them, many households are now struggling to cope, especially those on the Fuel Allowance who face the highest risk.”

She said rising energy costs and the removal of energy credits mean the average household will face an extra €321 next year, while the increase to the Fuel Allowance announced in the most recent budget covers only €140 of this increase.

“This leaves a significant shortfall for low income households,” she said.

SVP also pointed to the most recent Survey on Income and Living Conditions (SILC) figures, which it said showed consistent poverty has increased from 3.6% in 2024 to 5% in 2025.

The charity said child consistent poverty rose from 4.8% to 8.5% in just one year, “that’s an additional 45,000 children”.

“These are not abstract numbers,” Bayliss said. “They are children going to school hungry, living in cold homes, and missing out on the basics that support a healthy childhood.”

SVP is calling on Government to take what it described as a holistic approach to tackling poverty, recognising that households are being hit by rising energy, food and housing costs, while temporary cost-of-living supports have been withdrawn.

SVP President Teresa Ryan said the organisation is now meeting people who have never needed support before, including those who may previously have donated to SVP.

“The cost of staying warm and well is no longer just about electricity or gas,” Ryan said. “When food and housing costs rise at the same time, families have nowhere left to turn.”

Ryan said SVP volunteers continue to provide support “without judgement”, but added that “Ireland should not be seeing rising poverty in a country with a growing economy”.

“We need measures that deliver real, lasting protection for the most vulnerable,” she said.

SVP said it is concerned that without more direct intervention by Government, calls for help could again reach record levels in 2026, and warned it would require additional members and volunteers, as well as increased donations, to meet demand.