The Society of St Vincent de Paul says it's dealing with people who have to choose whether to eat or heat their homes. The arctic snap has only served to exacerbate the difficulties they're facing as they struggle to pay their energy bills or even buy a bag of coal. The charity says the rising costs of fuel and food mean people are juggling their weekly bills to try and make ends meet. Madeline Uí Mhealóid who is the Cavan rep for SVP says food remains the biggest need among callers.
"People are really struggling," explained Madeline. "Every week the cost of food has gone up when people to buy the necessities, not the luxuries, simple necessities to feed their families. Now this weather is making it very difficult because the energy costs are so expensive." Madeline also stated that the temporary power outages faced by many households across Cavan and Monaghan due to Storm Isha is the constant reality of many who cannot make ends meet.
