A UK charity will open an operation in Ireland to act for people struggling with their debts.

StepChange is opening a telephone service here, which will help people with debts like mortgages, credit cards and other loans.

The free service will run for three years and is being part funded by Ulster Bank, AIB, Bank of Ireland, KBC Bank, and Permanent TSB.

However its introduction is being criticised by the Irish Mortgage Holders Organisation, which says it was tried and failed before, with a number of institutions refusing to engage.

StepChange was piloted in 2013 under the guidance of the Central Bank.