Galway Bay fm newsroom – A new survey has found the public in Connacht score 53% in “financial literacy”.

Financial literacy refers to the knowledge and skills needed to make important financial decisions.

The score for Connacht was in line with the national average, but Bank of Ireland, who commissioned the survey, say that figure lags behind what it should be.

In comparison, the average score in Australia is 64%; Germany is 66%, and the UK scored 67%.

The Irish survey also revealed a striking difference across gender and age, with women scoring almost 10% lower than men.

18-34 years old scored the lowest at 48%, while those over 65 scored the highest at 58%.

While one third of those surveyed claimed to know about mortgages, only one fifth said they’re familiar with investments and pensions.

Almost 60 percent said they review their personal finances every month.

Galway Bay fm newsroom – Local TD Michael Fitzmaurice has taken aim at the Green Party’s role in Government, saying it’s a case of the “pup pulling the dog around the field”.

During a Dáil debate, he also criticised the “genius” who advised the Labour Party they could build a million homes in ten years.

It comes as the ban on no-fault evictions ends at midnight tonight.

Deputy Fitzmaurice said the Green Party seem to be dictating the pace, and it’s at the expense of rural Ireland.

Galway Bay fm newsroom – Gardaí have issued an appeal for a 25 year old man missing from Loughrea.

Shane Walsh was last seen in Portumna on Wednesday 29th March.

Shane is described as around 6 foot tall, with brown shaved hair and blue eyes, and was last seen wearing dark denim jeans, a black hoody and a navy gilet.

Shane is believed to be travelling in an 11-G-8916 black Ford Fiesta.

Anyone with information on Shane’s whereabouts is asked to contact Loughrea Garda Station, the Garda Confidential Line, or any Garda Station.