Use it or lose it! - council

That was the message Moyle councillors received about a debt advice scheme in the area.

Funding has been secured for a debt advice worker who can meet people in Ballycastle or Bushmills or even travel to people’s homes in Moyle.

But during a presentation to Moyle Council it was heard that the funding is for one year with a possible extension but that if the scheme is not sufficiently used it could be axed after 12 months.

The debt advice is given by Women’s Aid Debt Action NI Project for both women ... and men.

Moira McKay from Women’s Aid said people who would like debt advice can visit, by appointment, the Youthlinks building in Ballycastle on Tuesdays between 9am and 5pm or in Bushmills on a Thursday between 9am and 1pm.

She said at least 12 people from Ballycastle have used the service so far.

In one case she said a person had been given five credit cards but she said people can get out of debt.

Ulster Unionist councillor Willie Graham said people should be limited to two credit cards and no more.

Ulster Unionist councillor Helen Harding wished to congratulate Women’s Aid on the work as did Sinn Fein councillor Cathal Newcombe.

He welcomed the debt scheme saying many people are contacted by “gangsters” and “fly-by-nights” who “leave them high and dry” but he praised the Women’s Aid scheme.

He said debt is a terrible situation and said often domestic violence stems from debt problems in homes.

Sinn Fein councillor Cara McShane said the debt advice scheme, which is backed by central government, showed there was recognition of the problem of debt in the Moyle area.

She said the debt situation could worsen because of cutbacks on the way and changes to mortgage interest rates which she feared could “plunge people further into debt”.

Women’s Aid representative Mathilda Taulbutt said there has so far been a low uptake of the debt advice service in Moyle and said the scheme is for a year with a possibility of an extension and she said it could be lost if it is not used.

Cllr McShane said some people may not want people to know they are in debt and would fear being seen going into the debt advice venues but Mathilda said someone from say Ballycastle could travel to Bushmills or vice-versa or free and confidential advice could be given by a home visit.

Council Chairperson, Independent councillor Price McConaghy, thanked the ladies for their presentation and praised the debt advice work.