“The high cost of energy here in Ireland should be considered a key contributor to utility arrears and the inability of people to adequately heat their homes,” says the SVP’s Dr Tricia Keilthy.

“For a rich country like Ireland, it is unacceptable that so many people are going without basics,” said Kieran Stafford, National President, SVP.

Nearly one in seven people are in poverty of whom 211,000 are children.

Schools will have an opportunity to address outstanding maintenance issues - Fr Tom Denihan of CPMSA.