The Saint Vincent de Paul (SVP) has described letters from social workers looking for cash for people in need as "shocking".

It follows reports in the Irish Independent that the charity has had requests from dozens of social workers around the country and has had to turn them down.

The charity expects 75,000 calls this Christmas from people in need of things like food, fuel vouchers and clothes.

It says the spread of people calling them tells the story of Ireland in 2012 with plumbers, taxi drivers, solicitors and property developers in need of help.

Cash sought for all aspects

However the charity says it is shocking to have received requests from dozens of Health Service Executive (HSE) social workers in recent weeks looking for cash to pay for things like cleaning, taxi fares and rent.

One primary care centre reportedly asked for help in paying for Christmas decorations for the facility.

Head of Social Justice with the group is John-Mark McCafferty.

He says it points to the difficulties in the health service because of budget cuts and that it also raises questions about the Department of Social Protection.