The new poor - Way out for families in debt

Far from enjoying an extravagant lifestyle, double income families can now often be numbered among the new poor, such is the economic reality in the Ireland of today.

Many families with incomes ranging up to €40,000 are caught in a financial trap that has them applying for help in such numbers that it can, unfortunately, be considered a growth area.

Despite the Celtic Tiger economy, or possibly because of it, household incomes too often do not match the crippling burden of bills that has to be met every month.