IT may come as a shock to ordinary taxpayers that the state is supporting couples and cash-broke developers with multiple properties, but the reality is many people doubled-up on house purchases and investments in the boom.

UP to 300 people are typically jailed each year because they can’t pay fines, but future offenders could escape imprisonment under planned laws.

Twelve financial institutions operating in Ireland - including all the main banks - have signed up to a new scheme for helping people who get into trouble with loan repayments.

The Money Advice and Budgeting Service said it often sees an increase in people seeking its help in the New Year due to the financial pressures of Christmas.

THE slashing of 41 State agencies will be a “first installment” in a long term plan of reducing so-called quangos, Finance Minister Brian Lenihan said last night.

Cash-strapped consumers suffering post-Christmas debt will be urged today to seek advice and assistance.

FIRST-TIME home buyers are spending less of their monthly salary on mortgages in the first firm indication that house price affordability is improving.

SAVERS should use payments from their SSIAs to pay off expensive debts and borrowings, the Financial Regulator said yesterday.

The Money Advice and Budgeting Service has reportedly warned that many people could find themselves struggling to make ends meet in the event of further interest-rate rises.