A mother-of-four has told how she has been left feeling “anxious” over how she will manage to pay for soaring food and fuel costs.
Emer Higgins, 35, from Castlebar, Co Mayo said the Government should provide food vouchers to families to help with soaring food prices.
She said working families are suffering with anxiety wondering how they will afford the next bill that comes through the door.
She said: “The cost of food has gone ridiculous.
“My weekly shop would normally be €140 and now it’s increased by €40 to €50 a week and that doesn’t include a grocery shop at the weekend.
“That on top of the increase in the cost of diesel is crippling people.
“I have four pick-ups going in and out of town.
“I’ve noticed a massive increase with my car, at least an extra €200 a month I’m spending on diesel.
“I do feel anxious sometimes.
“The last two months there were a lot of bills coming in between the property tax, the house insurance and you’re just wondering where the money is going to come from.”
Ms Higgins, whose partner works full-time, said she is lucky she can stay at home and doesn’t have to pay for childcare.
The stay-at-home Mum said she has cut back on treating her four children, all under the age of 12, in a bid to save money.
She said: “It’s difficult as a mother, you don’t want to be saying to your children on their summer holidays after they’ve been good all year in school.
“Things like cinemas and summer camps that the kids want to go to but I don’t know if I can afford to send them.
“I am definitely budgeting what’s coming in and what’s coming out and to see what’s at the end of the month to see if I can even treat the children at McDonalds or even to do something together as a family one of the weekends.”
Ms Higgins said she would like to see the Government take further action to bring down the cost of diesel.
She said she would also welcome an extension of free GP care for children over the age of six as visits and medication can be quite expensive.
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