Election 2024: Cost of living — 'There've been times when I have had just 7c in my account'
And Sweeney Happened Are Sick Thinks To It That’s Has Life They Pictures: Get My 'nobody Duggan: ' Impacted But What Going Hugely On Noel Catherine
When it comes to making ends meet, the cost-of-living crisis has not only impacted Cork nurse Catherine Duggan’s pocket — her dignity has also taken a hit.
After being diagnosed with cancer in 2021, the 59-year-old prepared herself for a long fight.
What she did not realise was her financial recovery would be equally as painful.
After a successful operation to remove a tumour, Catherine was finally able to return to work as an endoscopy nurse in June 2023, but the life-changing impact of her illness left her unable for the physical demands of the role.
Since last December, she has been left with no option but to survive on illness benefits amounting to €260 a week.
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Her previous salary worked out at about €600 a week.
This reduced cashflow means she can no longer afford to pay her mortgage of €1,200.
"I just have to be upfront and honest regardless of the circumstances. Communication is key. What I really want is for the huge interest rates to be stopped and a moratorium put on it."
Indirect healthcare expenses continue to prove costly.
“I had to go to Galway for a medical appointment recently which cost me €40 just for fuel to come up and down in a day.
"There have been times when I have had just 7c in my account. I went from working fulltime to surviving.”
Soaring costs are like salt on gaping wounds, she said.
“Sometimes my payments bounce, and once I have them paid back, there is a penalty.
"I’ve got so used to this that I’ve stopped worrying about it now. I don’t buy luxuries anymore. I gave up socialising regularly because of the cost of petrol. Friends come over to my place now instead.
She described the experience as “humbling”.
“I want to work but I have been tied into this limbo.
"It makes you think of people who have to do this all the time, long term.
"The biggest challenge for me with the cost of living is trying to pay for things like car insurance.
"I still have to pay mortgage protection even though I’m not paying the mortgage. Then there’s the house insurance to think of as well as car tax and NCTs, electricity and fuel bills.”
Catherine, who lives in Macroom and has been working in nursing for 32 years, described the tangible effect that poverty is having on her mental and emotional state.
“This has really knocked my confidence," she said.
"I wasn’t living extravagantly but at the same time I wasn’t thinking of the future.
"Nobody thinks they are going to get sick but that’s what happened and it has impacted hugely on my life.
"The main worry is that I won’t have enough to pay the bills or the banks won’t be willing to negotiate with me any longer.
"It is this realisation that wakes me up in the middle of the night. I have to try to catch my breath.
"Then I gasp and tell myself that this is real. People are resilient and I am no different but, sometimes, I can’t believe I’m in this position.”