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careful about not ruling things out. Prior to these announcements, the Minister for Finance said that there will not be the same cost-of-living measures in this year's budget. As a party, we have been critical that over the last few years, the cost-of-living … remove them. We urge that they become more targeted measures. For those Irish consumers who will face into increasing danger of poverty, cost-of-living measures have to be considered in the coming months in the run-up to the budget. The economic emphasis of the country also

abated compared to what we experienced from 2021 through 2023, it simply would not be correct to say that Ireland's cost-of-living crisis has gone away, as I am sure we all agree. Lower inflation rates do not mean prices are falling; they just mean prices … this. One of them is the chronic unwillingness on the part of previous Governments to make necessary investments to bring down the cost of living, including for key public services. Whether it is housing, healthcare, transport, childcare or education, people have for far too long been dealing with

struggling to keep the light and heat on, and to pay their bills in the middle of one of the worst cost-of-living crises in the history of the State. That is not just me saying it or Sinn Féin saying it. Just this week, the ESRI … said that low-income households had to make high-risk changes to their finances to cope with the cost-of-living crisis. People are taking on more debt. They are using up whatever savings they have. They are cutting back on essentials like food, clothes and energy because

proposals. When discussing insolvency, we cannot avoid discussing what is actually driving insolvency for both businesses and individuals. This includes the high cost of living, the cost of insurance, the cost of rent and sky-high utility bills in this State, all of which the Government has failed … recognition of insolvency across European Union member states. However, we have to focus equally on what is driving people into insolvency. The cost of living and the cost of doing business must be addressed and there must be a crackdown on vulture funds to ensure they are forced

pharmaceutical and food and drink sectors. The main threat is expected to be internal challenges such as the housing crisis. The cost-of-living crisis is very likely to get much worse. Already, we have seen the Government put forward ideas like water charges, and it has removed … increase. The Government must intervene. It has the legal power to control prices. It refused to do that during the recent cost-of-living crisis, but it must do it now. Instead of relying on the private sector and on multinational companies to come here, we must have

Ireland and how this will affect their lives. Many people in this country are already being ground down by the relentless cost-of-living crisis and they simply cannot absorb higher prices from tariffs. Those who have not felt the benefit of the so-called "good times" know … breadth of that will mean that the prices paid by Irish consumers will be pushed up in the middle of a cost-of-living crisis. The scale and breadth of that will impact on Irish jobs and Irish public finances. That is not just what Sinn Féin

Social Democrats, we emphasise that everything must remain on the table for now, from supports for consumers with regard to the cost-of-living increases we will see to supports for businesses in particular. This is not to suggest these supports need to be introduced or committed … support in place. These supports will not be required to the same extent but they need to remain on the table. Similarly, cost-of-living supports should be part of the upcoming budget. I note the Minister for Finance has already suggested that these will

support workers? If we look at the level of working poverty and food poverty, we have been in the midst of a cost-of-living crisis for more than five years. One of the key parts of this cost-of-living crisis is what has been termed "greedflation

These factors are direct results of failures by this Government and its Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael predecessors - failures that include the cost-of-living crisis, sky-high energy costs, chronic underinvestment in housing and a healthcare system that is bulging under the pressure. This Government has constantly … failed to grasp the severity of the cost-of-living crisis. Grocery prices have risen by one third in just three years. Staples like chicken fillets have seen a staggering increase of 120%. How can older people enjoy a decent standard of living in retirement when the State

right that we have very significant threats but that does not diminish the importance of this issue in the context of a cost-of-living crisis where some of those threats could result in increased cost-of-living pressures. What are the real threats facing our economy

appropriate to extend this reduced rate of VAT, particularly given how high energy costs contribute to a rise in the cost of living. It should be noted that increases in energy prices are driven primarily by global factors over which the Government has no control. However a measure … million. The VAT reduction from 1 May will add to the already substantial support provided by Government to help with the cost of living. Finally, it should be noted that the financial resolution allows this reduced rate to apply from 1 May. However, there is a requirement

over to the convention centre to continue this work of Parliament, and the Ukrainian crisis of 2022 with the illegal invasion and cost-of-living crisis that came from that. Tomorrow, we face another big challenge. Thousands of workers around the country right now are driving home from … whether they will still have a job in the weeks and months ahead. They are worried about what might happen with the cost of living depending on what comes out or what decisions are announced by the US and what response comes from

this week. This is a positive step forward in making transport accessible and affordable for everybody and helping to ease the cost of living and encourage more sustainable travel choices. However, can the Minister of State please explain the rationale behind grouping the Skerries and Balbriggan train stations

supposed to put food on the table when prices for goods and services are 42% higher than in other European countries? The cost of living is skyrocketing and the Government expects people to get by on €13.50 an hour. Why does this Government believe those

from electricity suppliers and given them over a year longer to bring in a scheme from which consumers could benefit. When the cost of living is still so high for so many, does the Taoiseach agree with the Climate Change Advisory Council, which stated earlier that the Government

need to adapt to this and inevitably jobs will be lost as a result. This will affect those already struggling with the cost-of-living crisis. The agriculture sector is also likely to be impacted by tariffs. The US Government has also blamed non-tariff barriers for their

United States. We know in this State we have a multitude of challenges that have not been addressed from the cost of living to the emergency that is housing and the ongoing crisis in our health service. We cannot and will not allow the imposition

community clinics. They cannot be sacrificed. There are opportunities to make savings and we must utilise every one of them. The cost of living has been mentioned by colleagues, as has the area of renewable energy. State investment in that is essential. We cannot allow other jurisdictions

income for these workers and their families, making it challenging to make ends meet amid the rising costs people face during this cost-of-living crisis. Moreover, we need to consider the social impact of forced retirement when workers are pushed out of their jobs. They lose

society, of course, many older people are renters in precarious housing and many are struggling with rising household bills in today's cost-of-living crisis. People, paid and unpaid, work hard all their lives. It is extremely important to acknowledge that much of the hard work that

means they cannot proceed. Householders and small businesses, whether in Bunclody, Gorey, Arklow, Rathdrum or other areas, are already struggling with the cost-of-living crisis. A water tax would represent the last straw. As previous speakers have said, water is very precious. Water is life

right. Water charges punish the likes of pensioners and people on low incomes. They push people into water poverty. We have a cost-of-living crisis and there is no justification for charges. We have discovered, however, that the Government is working behind the scenes to introduce charges

last thing households across this State need, in the middle of a cost-of-living crisis, is another unfair bill. This proposal by Sinn Féin is very simple. It removes the option of this Government or any future governments to reimpose domestic water charges down the line

private system to get care and assessments they need for their children. Against this dysfunctional backdrop of a high cost of living and a lack of public services, we have to completely rule out the possibility of bringing in water charges. The Minister can blame Sinn Féin

again. Almost a decade later, the Government is still trying to find ways to charge people for water during a cost-of-living crisis. People are struggling to get by with ever increasing bills for food and electricity. We must stop and scrap water charges altogether, once

Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the actions that have been taken to alleviate the impact of the cost-of-living crisis on students; if additional financial supports or targeted grant increases are being considered for the upcoming academic year; and if he will

plans to increase the capitation grant per child, for each school, to meet the growing demands on schools due to the rising cost of living; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17164/25

Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Finance if he will reverse his decision to abolish cost-of-living supports in the next Budget; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16153/25