President Michael D Higgins has paid tribute to the “exceptional” work of St Vincent de Paul as it celebrates its 175th anniversary.

Members of the charity have been fighting poverty and social exclusion in Ireland since it was set up in 1844.

Speaking at an anniversary event in Dublin today, President Michael D Higgins praised the work of the thousands of people who volunteer with the charity.

“It is impressive beyond belief and it is so important,” he said.

“Over 1,200 conferences and 11,000 volunteers working in eight regions.

“That is for us in Ireland an exceptional network of solidarity, compassion and care providing support for those in need.”

Statues memorialising the Great Hunger at Dublin’s IFSC. Image: Niall Carson/PA Archive/PA Images

Great Hunger

The charity’s president Kieran Stafford said it was originally established as the Great Hunger was beginning to take its toll on the people of Ireland.

“Well at the time you had members that were obviously tending to the incredible need that arose from that tragic event,” he said.

“People streamed into the cities so there was overcrowding, there was squalor and most people were starving so the members were addressing that at the time.

“I think it is incredible to think of that timescale and the fact that we are now the largest charity in Ireland 175 years later.”

The SVP National Office, Sean McDermott st, Dublin. Photo Eleanor Keegan/Photocall Ireland.

Vulnerable

He said the Government’s record on helping the most vulnerable people in society is “very, very poor.”

He said the spiralling cost of rent continues to be a problem – particularly for the 100,000 working people who are living below the poverty line.

He said the Government is also failing lone parents.

“We have seen in a recent report that lone parents in particular, who suffer more than others in terms of poverty, their situation has gotten worse since the previous government,” he said.

“I think this being the most vulnerable group that are out there, it is quite shameful.

“If you look at the housing and homelessness situation – all of this adds up to a very, very poor report.”

He said half of lone parents are experiencing depravation, 61% of families are struggling with education costs and nearly 800,000 people are living below the poverty line in Ireland.