The Society of St Vincent de Paul has warned that people it helped to escape poverty in recent years are returning for assistance due to rising unemployment and the increased cost of living.
Speaking at the launch of the charity's Christmas appeal for donations, Prof John Monaghan warned that the year ahead could see demand for emergency assistance escalating sharply.
The group spent a record €42 million last year providing cash assistance, food, fuel and clothes to some of the poorest families in the State.
The society's national president Maireád Bushnell said thousands of people living on low incomes were experiencing huge difficulties accessing essential services such as health and education.
"Political courage and leadership is particularly needed at this time to remove the inequality and social barriers faced by far too many in this country," she said.
"There are 815,000 people in Ireland currently living on the very edge of poverty, and 285,000 people living in consistent poverty."
She warned that as inflation rises and unemployment climbs steadily, targeted economic and social intervention is urgently required.
"We certainly don't want to see those who gained least from the Celtic Tiger penalised now that things are getting tighter again economically," Ms Bushnell added.
More than half of the society's funds came from public donations last year, while the remainder came from State funding, charity shops and other sources. Much of its work these days involves helping people in poverty become more self-sufficient, through access to education or the jobs market.
One of those who received assistance from the society in recent times is Wendy Reece (32), a single mother with three children who had to give up her job after her child fell ill.
Unable to afford the cost of buying her child's medicine, she sought assistance from the society.
"It was embarrassing at first, having to ask for help, but it's changed my life," says Wendy. "I'm studying to get new qualifications to become an accountant technician. That would never have been possible if I was relying on social welfare. What it gives you with one hand, it takes away as your circumstances change."
The Society of St Vincent de Paul's appeal week runs from December 2nd to 9th. Donations can be made locally, or through its website, www.svp.ie
