A “growing amount” of West Clare families are struggling to pay rent and HAP, a local councillor has flagged.

After it emerged that 375 families in the county are dealing with a food and fuel shortage as a result of the pandemic, Cllr Cillian Murphy (FF) warned that longer-term impacts are coming to the surface.

Speaking at a meeting of the Rural Development Strategic Policy Committee (SPC), the Kilkee representative highlighted that “a growing amount of people who would have been very reliant on weekend work or casual employment to make ends meet” are now finding it increasingly difficult to pay their rent or Housing Assistance Payment (HAP).

“Something bigger is coming down the track on top of this, I know hands are tied as a Council as to what we can do but it is worth flagging up the chain,” he commented. Cllr Murphy was aware of two families “well behind” on both payments.

Senior executive officer with the rural and community development section of Clare County Council, Bernie Haugh stated that the issue has previously been raised among the COVID-19 community response forum. “It is important that people that engage with the system until they got back on top of their bills”.

Details of a confidential debt support system within operation by the Irish Farmers Association (IFA) were brought to the attention of SPC members by agriculture and farming representative, Denis Tuohy.

Related News

seán canney mary considine shannon airport 4
Junior Minister Canney updated on €30m investment programme during inaugural Shannon Airport visit
knockanean school
Council take wide berth on request to widen road leading to Knockanean NS
maher family milford care 1
Maher family raise €4200 for Milford Care Centre
Status Red Weather Warning
Arrival of thunderstorms to mark start of unsettled weather period in Clare

Advertisement

Latest News
clare lgfa football 1
Adjourned Clare LGFA meeting to go ahead after breach of confidential correspondence investigated
clare v limerick 02-03-25 brian lohan 1
Lohan: early indicators positive on all experienced Clare players returning & wide net will be cast during club campaign
seán canney mary considine shannon airport 4
Junior Minister Canney updated on €30m investment programme during inaugural Shannon Airport visit
knockanean school
Council take wide berth on request to widen road leading to Knockanean NS
maher family milford care 1
Maher family raise €4200 for Milford Care Centre
Premium
harry dinan 1
Ennis man who killed Lissycasey teacher jailed for five years for drug dealing
petrol diesel fuel
Death threats and attacks on service station staff in Ennis
tommy guilfoyle 1
'Stop with the nonsense & work on the projects Ennis needs' - Guilfoyle hits out at transport plan
Photograph by Eamon Ward
Unprecedented scenes as Council engineer threatens to remove public from gallery during tense meeting
electoral chair debate 21-11-24 violet-anne wynne 4
Ex TD Wynne says she cannot pay this week's rent of €300 & 'is going to people who lend money & add interest'

Subscribe for just €3 per month

If you’re here, you care about County Clare. So do we. Did you rely on us for Covid-19 updates, follow our election coverage, or visit The Clare Echo every week for breaking news and sport? The Clare Echo invests in local journalism and we want to safeguard its future in our county. By becoming a subscriber you are supporting what we do, will receive access to all our premium articles and a better experience, while helping us improve our offering to you. Subscribe to clareecho.ie and get the first six months for just €3 a month (less than 75c per week), and thereafter €8 per month. Cancel anytime, limited time offer. T&Cs Apply. www.clareecho.ie.

Subscribe for just €3 per month

If you’re here, you care about County Clare. So do we. Did you rely on us for Covid-19 updates, follow our election coverage, or visit The Clare Echo every week for breaking news and sport? The Clare Echo invests in local journalism and we want to safeguard its future in our county. By becoming a subscriber you are supporting what we do, will receive access to all our premium articles and a better experience, while helping us improve our offering to you. Subscribe to clareecho.ie and get the first six months for just €3 a month (less than 75c per week), and thereafter €8 per month. Cancel anytime, limited time offer. T&Cs Apply. www.clareecho.ie.

Advertisement