A record 9,104 people were homeless in January this year of which more than 3,000 were children

They put on a truly incredible show and amazed everyone with what can be achieved after only ten weeks of lessons – Tony Rock.

Tributes paid to former national vice president and SVP spokesman, Professor John Monaghan, who has died aged 73.

‘Keep it local’ ethos allows volunteers the flexibility to provide the necessary help for people in their area.

This is a particularly difficult time for families worrying about upcoming Christmas expenses and getting through the winter months when energy bills are at their highest.

Will the small improvements in supports and services have a meaningful impact on families and children living in poverty? Unfortunately, the answer is NO

Social Justice Ireland (SJI) stated that Budget 2018 has given modest improvements for some but failed to get to grips with the scale of the crises needing to be addressed.

Children aged under four are now the single largest age group experiencing homelessness, with Census 2016 identifying 765 homeless preschoolers.

“Autumn is a particularly difficult time for families who have just faced back-to-school costs and are worrying about upcoming Christmas expenses and getting through the winter months when energy bills are at their highest,” said SVP.

“Our volunteers are very reliable, which is essential when providing this necessary service. They help build friendly relationships between children and parents living in direct provision with members of the community. Our volunteers add to the good spirit and positive attitude to learning that is created in our homework club” – Jim Walsh, SVP.

“The question which is agitating the world today is a social one. It is a struggle between those who have nothing and those who have too much. It is a violent clash of opulence and poverty which is shaking the ground under our feet.” – SVP founder Frederic Ozanam.

The study, carried out by Dr Paula Mayock and Sarah Parker of Trinity’s School of Social Work and Social Policy, highlights causes of homelessness among young people, including family breakdown, leaving State care, early school leaving and lack of access to employment.

More needs to be done, otherwise too many of our children will spend their childhoods going without basics like secure housing, healthy food and suitable clothing.

“It is my fervent hope that you will go forward from here to bring joy and hope to the life of the Church in your local parish area and beyond,” says Archbishop Neary.

Charity album will raise thousands of euro for SVP.

While the transformative policies of Early Childhood Care and Education, social housing provision and energy retrofitting of homes were welcome, according to the society, significantly greater public investment is required over the longer term.

But many of the commitments are "unclear, with no timescale or finances named" says Focus Ireland.

"One of the things we've called for is a statutory entitlement to home care services," says Catherine Cox from Family Carers Ireland.

“Withdrawing vital child benefit from families struggling to keep their children in school will not tackle child poverty."

Party urged to make addressing child poverty and the widening gap between rich and poor the first priority of the programme of Government in the next Assembly.

€41,400, the largest amount in the Dublin appeal’s 15 year history, collected in the days running up to Christmas.

“It is important that both politicians and the electorate think about the profoundly damaging impact the housing & homelessness crisis is having on so many."

“A strategy is needed to ensure that every household and family in Ireland has an income which is adequate to meet their needs."

The SVP highlights barriers to low income families: lack of money, inadequate access to career guidance and few role models.

SVP pays tribute to continued generosity of comedian Brendan O'Carroll & expresses concern about being able to fully meet the needs of those in difficulty.

“Times are difficult for a lot of people out there and in this recessionary period our services are needed more than ever."

Pockets of positive investment in Budget a sign the Government is repairing some of the damage austerity has had on children: Barnardos.

“The Taoiseach recently said the elimination of child poverty was a moral imperative for any government. Yet child poverty rates in Ireland are a national scandal."

“Most families in hotels and B&Bs are being forced into homelessness and emergency accommodation because of huge rent increases in private rental sector" - SVP.

The SVP has seen the amount it pays for energy costs for those who can’t afford to pay increase steadily over the last number of years.