16/04/2012

Households Left With Just €100 After Essential Bills

A new survey commissioned by the Irish League of Credit Unions has highlighted the financial hardships faced by households.

The 'What's Left' disposable income tracker index was carried out last month among 1,000 respondents and reveals that 47% of householders - or more than 1.5m people - are left with €100 or less at the end of each month after paying their essential bills.

Nearly two-thirds of those surveyed have less disposable income than at this time last year, and marginally more say they are really worried about falling behind with their bill payments.

Almost half of motorists said that due to the rising cost of motoring they were struggling with their car finances, with one in five switching to a smaller car to save money.

Over two fifths of households stated that they had no intention of paying the Household Charge, the majority of them saying they will not pay as they cannot afford it.

Almost one in ten respondents revealed that they will not pay until they are threatened with legal action.


Related Irish News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.

12 March 2024
NI Households Left With Less Than £32 Per Week After Essentials
Discretionary income has fallen by over half since 2021 for Northern Ireland's lowest earning households, leaving them with only £31.31 per week on average, according to the Consumer Council.
21 September 2022
NI To Receive 'Equivalent Support' As GB Energy Guarantee
Business Secretary Jacob Rees-Mogg has confirmed that NI households will receive 'equivalent support' to those already announced in Great Britain. The Northern Ireland Energy Price Guarantee will offer households the same level of gas and electricity bill support as the equivalent scheme in Great Britain.
29 November 2007
Lower Risk Of Elderly Living In Poverty
There has been a significant decline in what the Government calls the risk of poverty rate for elderly people. Figures just released relate that, during 2006, the at risk of poverty rate for persons aged 65 and over was 13.6%, representing a significant decline on the 20.1% recorded one year previously.
20 March 2015
Third Of Irish Water Customer Now Registered
Irish Water have reported that some 990,000 customers have now registered for water charges out of its total customer base of 1.5 million. The total number of those registered with the utility is now 1.237 million, which includes those who are not customers of Irish Water but have logged details in order to claim the €100 Water Conservation Grant.
22 October 2012
'What's left' Survey Finds Disposable Income Decreased Further
More than 1.8 million people are left with €100 or less at the end of the month after essential bills are paid, according to the latest “What’s Left” tracker survey. The survey, carried out by the Irish League of Credit Unions, also shows that half of all adults are also struggling to pay their bills on time.