Families seek help as cost of living crisis deepens
WITH the cost of living rising at an alarming rate lovcla families are turning to whatever assistance they can avail of to make ends meet.
WITH the cost of living rising at an alarming rate lovcla families are turning to whatever assistance they can avail of to make ends meet.
SINN Fein’s Aoife Finnegan says more and more families are turning to both herself and her party colleagues for help and advice.
The Newry and Armagh MLA explained how her office regularly signposts constituents to services in the community which they can avail of to seem them through turbulent financial times.
This includes directing residents to Saint Vincent de Paul and the Rural Health Partnership who provide food vouchers and fuel support in the wake of the stark increase in fuel prices following the ongoing conflict in the middle east.
Wholesale oil and gas prices have surged since the conflict began on February 28 with the production and transportation of energy across the Middle East slowing or stopping entirely due to the ongoing US-Israel war against Iran.
As a result the cost of almost all commodities including petrol and diesel have increased exponentially affecting the most vulnerable within the community along with those who although in employment struggle to make ends meat for themselves and their families.
As Aoife herself explains it is individuals from all walks of life who have turned to her office and party for advice and support.
Assistance
“My office regularly signposts constituents to organisations such as SVP and the Rural Health Partnership, who provide food vouchers, fuel support and other practical assistance, including home delivery across rural communities.
“A growing number of families, workers and pensioners are seeking help as the cost-of-living crisis deepens.
“Sinn Féin also assist constituents in accessing support schemes such as the Bryson Fund and work with all agencies on the ground to ensure people receive the help they need.
“The reality is that more and more ordinary people are being forced to seek assistance as rising food and fuel costs continue to hit households hard.
“Organisations such as the Rural Health Partnership and SVP provide vital foodbank and emergency support services across rural South Armagh, operating from Rathkeelan House.
“They provide essential assistance including food vouchers, diesel and fuel support, and rural outreach services, including delivery to those living in isolated areas. These frontline organisations are a lifeline for many families across South Armagh.
“However, these groups are operating under increasing pressure due to cuts to community services while demand for support continues to rise.”
Anti-Poverty Strategy
With the ongoing situation in the middle east showing no signs of resolving in the immediate future, both Aoife and her party colleagues have taken it upon themselves to write a letter to communities minister Gordon Lyons encouraging him to implement an effective anti-poverty strategy to help those most in need of support.
“At a time when households are struggling with soaring living costs and fuel hikes exacerbated by British government austerity and US and Israel's reckless war —families, workers and ordinary people need real support. Community organisations should not be left to shoulder the burden alone after years of British austerity that has weakened our frontline services.
“The Communities Minister Gordon Lyons must urgently bring forward a strengthened Anti Poverty Strategy to address the growing cost of living crisis across our communities, and to get real support out to struggling families as a matter of the utmost urgency.
“Sinn Féin have written to the Communities Minister to remind him that the Department for Communities is responsible for tackling poverty and we have called on him to act with urgency.”