Breadline families cut back on groceries – or go without oil in their tank

A shocking new survey has unearthed many heart-wrenching stories of how householders have been pushed to breaking point – because of the massive hikes in fuel, utilities and food bills.

And Galway contributors have laid bare the reality of life on the breadline – including families unable to put oil in their tank; a family of four cutting back on food to pay medical bills, and an apprentice paying €150 of his €220 wages on petrol.

They are just some of the stories in a survey of over 10,000 people across the country carried out by Sinn Féin, which found that 86% of us are cutting back on essentials such as groceries; 94% are turning on their heating less, and 89% are curtailing work and family commitments as a result of the soaring cost of living.

One family revealed that that they were struggling to afford to take their child with cancer to hospital to undergo chemotherapy as their fuel costs had doubled. They were unable to use public transport due to her poor immune system.

A single mother spoke of how she was sitting in a freezing cold house with a sick eight-month-old baby.

One healthcare worker shared how she was forced to give up her job because the cost of petrol and childcare meant she could not afford to work.

Many pensioners described feeling terrified their pension was not keeping up with soaring costs.

Students shared that they were missing out on key lectures and were falling behind on courses as they could only afford to travel to college on a handful of days because of the high fuel prices.

Sinn Féin TD for Galway and Roscommon Claire Kerrane explained that 301 responses were received from people living in Galway – and their experiences made for equally difficult reading.

Read the full story in this week’s Connacht Tribune, on sale in shops now – or you can download the digital edition from www.connachttribune.ie