Latest news with #SaintVincentdePaul
CTV News
08-07-2025
- General
- CTV News
Firefighters battle major blaze at commercial building in Laval
Firefighters in Laval are battling a major fire in the Saint-Vincent-de-Paul area. (APL Pompiers Laval) Firefighters in Laval are battling a major fire in the Saint-Vincent-de-Paul area Tuesday morning. Authorities notes a four-alarm fire is in progress at a commercial building on Leman Boulevard. People are being asked to avoid the area near Leman Boulevard and Belgrand Street.
Irish Times
17-06-2025
- Business
- Irish Times
Minimum cost of living ‘up almost 20% since 2020'
A very basic cost of living has jumped by almost 20 per cent since 2020, with the spike leaving many struggling to make ends meet, according to research published on Tuesday morning. The annual Minimal Essential Standard of Living (MESL) study compiled by the Vincentian Research Centre at the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul (SVP) measures what people need for a basic standard of living and highlights a 1.8 per cent jump in prices last year, with a climb of 18.8 per cent since 2020. It looked at the average weekly cost of goods and services such as food, clothes and energy for a socially acceptable minimum standard of living. [ Cost-of-living rise outstrips social welfare increases, report finds Opens in new window ] The report highlights how the weekly cost of a child over 12 is higher than any other age group at €158, with social welfare meeting just 64 per cent of that. The cost of the needs of a primary school-age child is €98, while the needs of a preschool-age child cost €72 per week. READ MORE The costs for infants are 15 per cent lower than an inflation-adjusted estimate, with prices falling as parents swapped higher-cost items such as nappies and infant formula with own-brand options Costs for a preschool-aged child are 31 per cent higher than estimates, as the higher cost of pain relief medication, cold treatments and clothes are among the factors driving costs up. Costs for primary schoolchildren were 2.1 per cent higher than estimates suggested, with increased allowances for activities, birthdays and Christmas forcing prices higher, while the school and book rental schemes significantly reduced potential education costs. For second-level age children, costs were put at 4.8 per cent higher than inflation-adjusted estimates, with social pressures facing teenagers as well as the need to replace children's clothing frequently, due to the rate at which they grow, highlighted by parents. [ The Irish Times view on tackling child poverty: if not now, when? Opens in new window ] Food costs decreased for this age group compared to last year, while the extension of the Free Schoolbooks Scheme to post-primary schools has contributed to a significant reduction in the 2025 education cost for a second-level child. The MESL needs for a one-parent household with a primary and second-level child cost €555 per week, and when dependent on social welfare supports, income only meets 82 per cent of this household's minimum needs. While employment generally improves household income, the adequacy of the National Minimum Wage continues to be a concern. 'The analysis demonstrates the crucial role of in-work supports, affordable childcare and affordable housing in enabling income adequacy for households in employment,' the report says. The cost of the minimum baskets for an urban single adult in minimum wage full-time employment has risen by 5.6 per cent due to higher rents and an increase in energy and food costs.
The Irish Sun
22-04-2025
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
Boy, 9, tackles huge 350km cycle from Mayo to Dublin in FIFTH incredible bid to raise charity cash amid latest €10k goal
A YOUNG boy is set to cycle across the country in a bid to raise money for charity. Little Conan Woulfe, nine, will pedal from Westport in Co Conan, from Dublin, set off from Westport on Easter Monday and will cycle between 65 and 95km every day as he tried to reach the capital by Saturday. He will be joined on the cycle at various points by his dad Donnchadh, grandad Tom and his little brother Alby who is six years old. This is Conan's fifth charity cycle with this year's cash going to Saint Vincent de Paul – a charity which helps provide support to families in need. Some of the cash raised by Conan will also be donated to his Read more in News Conan said: 'I'm excited for this year's cycle. It's amazing to do something I love while helping others.' Elizabeth Smyth, from Saint Vincent de Paul, hailed the little lad. She said: "We are blown away by Conan's compassion and commitment to helping others at such a young age, and we are incredibly grateful that he has chosen to support St. Vincent de Paul again this year. "The funds raised by Conan's cycle will go directly towards assisting families who are struggling with the rising MOST READ IN THE IRISH SUN 'Every euro makes a real difference, and young people like Conan give us great hope for the future.' Conan is set to cycle 350km in total from Westport in Co Mayo to Dublin over the course of six days. The nine-year-old began fundraising at age five and has since cycled from To date, the little lad has raised €1,795 of his €10,000 goal. One person said on the fundraiser page: "Keep on spinning. Fair Play." Another added: "Best of luck Conan. Keep up the hard work. [From] all the staff at the gateway." A third wrote: "Well done Conan! An inspiration for us all." A fourth said: "Well done Conan. Hope your Dad is able to keep up with you!" Donations to his iDonate fundraiser can be made 1 Conan will cycle between 65 and 95 km every day as he tried to reach the capital by Saturday Credit: Maree Rigney
