SVP highlight numbers struggling with waste collection charges

From the Indo's breaking news

The Society of Saint Vincent de Paul has urged people to make waste collection charges an issue in the local elections.

The charity has said increasing numbers are calling its helpline for assistance due to the privatisation of public service providers, which refuse to offer waiver systems for those on low incomes.

Society Vice-President John Monaghan has said people who are not even on social welfare are contacting them. "At the head office on the Cabra Road, which only deals with the Dublin area, the number of calls to the society in April 2002 was about 350 in a month. In 2003 it had gone up to 550, and April this year it had gone up to over 1200. Many of those were first time callers, people who are in work but on low pay and are struggling."