Support provider One Family says a 24 per cent increase in calls to its helpline last year could be directly attributed to the recession.
The agency said it was most frequently contacted by newly unemployed people seeking information about accessing social welfare payments for the first time.
"Many lone parents got in touch with us as they lost their jobs and had to go on social welfare for the first time and they needed help navigating their way through the complex system," One Family director Karen Kiernan said.
Ms Kiernan said a large part of the 24 per cent increase in traffic was due to couples separating as a result of financial stress and that many of these were unable to physically move out as money was too tight to do so.
"This can lead to huge stress for parents and children and our helpline was able to relieve some of this stress by offering support and a listening ear," she said.
One Family published its annual report for 2009 in Dublin today. It says that queries about legal issues became increasingly frequent last year and that the numbers seeking access to counselling services increased by 15 per cent.
Ms Kiernan said it was vital that agencies such as One Family, who were engaging with more clients but operating with tightened budgets, were given the resources to help people at a time when there was "economic uncertainty and huge pressure on families".
