THE Society of St Vincent de Paul (SVP) is preparing for increasing numbers of families seeking help with back-to-school costs this year.
The charity’s Cork president  David Holden, pictured, said that back-to-school costs had become an annual problem for families.
“We are expecting an increase in the number of those seeking help from this month onwards, ” he said.
“Uniforms, shoes, school donations and schoolbooks, particularly the workbooks, mean the costs add up quickly. A lot has been made of cheap uniforms being sold by supermarkets but that is just camouflaging the underlying problem.”
“Many families are at a stage where they have no disposable income to save or plan for the back-to-school period and end up needing help,” he said.
His comments came as Lord Mayor of Cork, Cllr John Buttimer, reminded the public that applications were still open for the Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance given by the Department of Social Welfare.
“As a local councillor, I have received requests for assistance from a number of families and I know that St Vincent de Paul and other charities have also been inundated with requests for help,” he said.
Payment rates for the 2012 Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance scheme are 150 for   children aged four to 11 on September 30,  2012 and 250 for children aged 12 to 22 on September 30, 2012.
The Lord Mayor reminded parents struggling with back-to-school costs that Application forms are available in social welfare local offices and online at website www.welfare.ie.
Mr Holden urged families to apply for assistance and use the appeals process if they are refused help.
“After that, we would always tell parents to ask us for assistance rather than suffer mental stress or go hungry. We will always help where we can.
“Luckily, the people of Cork have been very generous to the Society of St Vincent de Paul and responded to our appeals,” he said.