Prendergast: The 'big issue' for people is level of debt

The cost of owning and running a home in Ireland is crippling many people, according to MEP Phil Prendergast.

She wants more help for people who are in mortgage arrears or are struggling with paying home heating bills.

The Labour MEP said the Government needs to start listening.

She said: "The big issue when I meet and talk to people is the amount of debt that they are in and the fact that of the negative equity.

"I think we really have to deal with that and very innovative solutions need to come about how we fund and go forward with a housing and social policy for the future.

"There are a lot of people who require social housing now that can't actually access it, so we do need to change the way we do things in this country."