A community debt advisor in Co Fermanagh has said the rising cost of living is causing huge distress to people locally.
Inflation has reached its highest point in 30 years as the price of goods continues to climb, while energy prices have also led to huge increases in bills in recent months.
Lisa Farrell from Community Advice Fermanagh has said that rising costs without rising wages is leaving local people struggling to pay for essentials like heating and groceries.
Speaking to MyFermanagh, Lisa says there has been a significant increase in the amount of people seeking debt advice in recent months.
“There has been a significant increase in demand for our services,” Lisa said.
“People are generally having less disposable income at the moment whether they are working or not.
“People are at a stretch where they wouldn’t have much to spare, and that is being increasingly squeezed by rising prices.
“That’s obviously leading to people putting more things on credit and it is becoming too much for them to cope with
“What we’re seeing is a lot of people who are working full-time or single person households finding it harder to afford all the essentials.
“There is a greater reliance on charitable help, particularly with heating costs. That is an issue most winters but particularly this year it is causing distress.”
With rising property prices, particularly in the rental sector, Lisa says Community Advice Fermanagh has received increased demand from people struggling with housing payments.
She added: “What I am really seeing a problem with is the cost of housing, both renting and with the interest rates going up as well.
“There has been a big increase in people coming in with rental arrears and mortgages.
“That’s a thing that everybody has to deal with, that is a big concern at the moment.
“Both the rental market and the ownership market have seen prices go up quite a bit and that is having a knock on effect.”
People are concerned for the future and what it holds for them financially and Lisa said it was a ‘worrying’ time for many.
Community Advice Fermanagh provides free and confidential advice to those who may be struggling with debt in the area.
Lisa added: “It’s an issue that is worrying everybody at the minute no matter what their situation is.
“Not being able to afford the essentials is a big worry for people.”
