There was a 6% increase in assistance sought from the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul (SVP) last year, compared to 2024.
December requests were 12% higher, reflecting extra pressure on households during the winter period, according to the charity.
Of the 260,799 requests for assistance in 2025, 112,772 were for food, up 8,548 on 2024. For four months of the year, food requests exceeded 10,000 per month.
Requests for energy-related support also rose.
In total, SVP received 33,224 requests for energy assistance in 2025; November was the charity's highest-ever month for energy requests.
'Real winter bills'
SVP Head of Social Policy Louise Bayliss said that for many people on bill-pay, the first "real winter bills" are only landing.
She expressed worry that the full impact of higher energy costs would only become clear as winter progresses.
"Figures show that over 300,000 households are in arrears on their electricity bills and more than 180,000 are behind on gas. In recent years, energy credits provided vital relief. Without them, many households are now struggling to cope, especially those on the Fuel Allowance who face the highest risk," she said.
Speaking on RTÉ's Morning Ireland, Ms Bayliss said there are 360,000 households using pay-as-you-go meters.
"We're not really sure what's happening to them," she added.
Ms Bayliss said that they are paying more for their energy and tend to be on lower incomes.
"We know a lot of them are involuntarily disconnecting because they've run out of money to provide the meter."
She said it is hard to persuade somebody to come off pay-as-you-go because they are scared of the bills.
"Many of them are on them because they did run up arrears previously. They were suggested to go on these hardship meters so that they would avoid going into bills again.
"But what happens is households are left without electricity a couple of days a week and we need that data," Ms Bayliss said.
According to the most recent Survey on Income and Living Conditions, consistent poverty has increased from 3.6% in 2024 to 5% in 2025.
Child consistent poverty has risen from 4.8% to 8.5% in just one year, which is an additional 45,000 children.
Ms Bayliss pointed out that the numbers were not abstract.
"They are children going to school hungry, living in cold homes, and missing out on the basics that support a healthy childhood."
'Holistic approach'
SVP is calling on Government to take "a holistic approach" in tackling poverty - recognising that households are being hit simultaneously by rising energy, food and housing costs, while temporary cost-of-living supports have been withdrawn.
SVP President Teresa Ryan said people who never needed support before, including people who may previously have donated to SVP, are now seeking assistance.
"The cost of staying warm and well is no longer just about electricity or gas. When food and housing costs rise at the same time, families have nowhere left to turn.
"Our volunteers continue to provide support, without judgement, wherever we can. But Ireland should not be seeing rising poverty in a country with a growing economy. We need measures that deliver real, lasting protection for the most vulnerable," she said.
