Your voice heard

For the last three months, we have been asking you to make Your Voice Heard by supporting our campaign to end austerity measures in the coming budget. We have also been asking for your comments and stories about the impact that cuts have had on your lives already. Many of you took up the call and told us about your struggles. You told us that the Government does not understand the reality of life on a low income, and you expressed your despair and fears about what further cuts would mean for your families.

Today we continued our pledge to make your voices heard, we presented the Government with a book containing the messages you left when you signed up to support our campaign. The Minister for Social Protection, Joan Burton TD accepted the book on behalf of the Government.

Your voices, your messages and the stories about your lives are so powerful that they had to be shared. Booklets containing your messages are being sent to every TD and Senator to make them aware of the impact of austerity on individuals and families who are struggling and to highlight the need for fairness in Budget 2014.

On behalf of the people we assist and those who are struggling in Ireland today, SVP is challenging the unfair burden which has been placed upon those least able to afford it. If you are struggling, the SVP stands with you. Please remember that you are not alone. We have heard your voice.

We are asking Government to lead and make choices which will tackle Ireland’s budget deficit in a fair and equitable way in Budget 2014 and beyond. Your messages say more than any policy paper could, they compel our Government to listen and take heed. We need Government to respond and announce a budget for 2014 which does not cause further damage to our communities and citizens, but instead provides us all with hope and a future to look forward to.

All of your messages can be viewed on our website.