Search the record

past number of years under Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael Governments, we have been in what feels like a permanent cost-of-living crisis. People are being squeezed from every angle, be it grocery inflation, the cost of renting and buying a home, and childcare costs, something this … taking on debt just to keep the lights on. When we hear from the Government that budget 2026 will not be a cost-of-living budget, I am struck by the cynicism of Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael. For a couple of years in the lead

will be able to pay. That is an incredible situation. The frustration I have is that the Government is acting like the cost-of-living crisis is nearly over. The Government is the main driver of that crisis. We often hear it blame foreign elements for the crisis … State. The Government took more money than ever before in fuel taxes from people who are in the middle of a cost-of-living crisis. What does that say about the Government? Last year, the Government took €1 billion in carbon taxes. They are now the second biggest

motion and I know the Government will too. In relation to the substantive issue that Deputy Doherty raised on the cost of living, let me open by acknowledging the challenge that it is for many, and I absolutely accept that. For households and businesses, we have seen changes … happen over the last number of years with the cost of living. We are seeing indications that the rate of price increases has considerably slowed down. However, that is not across our entire economy and we see some parts of the economy where the rate of price increase

when it comes to insurance costs; — the increasing cost of motor insurance is putting many people under severe pressure in a cost-of-living crisis; — the cost of motor insurance has increased at more than four times the general rate of inflation; — people are now facing health insurance … insurance companies to ensure fair and stable insurance prices; — recognise the role that high insurance costs play in driving the cost-of-living crisis, both directly through higher premiums and indirectly by driving up the costs of businesses, public bodies, and civil society organisations; — progress and enact

sure if the Government realises this. It seems to be totally out of touch with the reality that we have a cost-of-living crisis. I have people coming into my office every week telling me they cannot pay their bills. These are people who are working hard … refused to tackle energy suppliers and is refusing to give people any kind of short-term relief whatever by ruling out a cost-of-living package in this year’s budget. How does the Government expect people to cope with all these price rises when it is refusing

afford to do so. For the Government to decide that it can take the money from them at a time of a cost-of-living crisis is outrageous. In-work poverty remains a serious problem in this State and the Government’s policy significantly contributes to this. There … stress low and middle income earners are under. This also comes at a time when the Government is rowing back on the cost-of-living supports that are vital to keeping people’s heads above water. Another problem with this legislation is that it would hand the money

thank Sinn Féin for bringing the motion forward. It is absolutely essential that we keep the focus on the cost-of-living crisis. It is incredible, when we think about it, that we are calling it the cost-of-living crisis. It is too expensive … Companies are making massive profits off the backs of people being pushed into poverty and not being able to afford the basic cost of living. We know that incomes cannot keep pace with this. The energy poverty crisis that is ongoing is going to continue for people. Energia

important that we turn our attention to the reality of what is happening in homes across the State. For this Government, the cost-of-living crisis is only something it trots out and acknowledges in the run-up to an election. With no election on the horizon … prices increasing. In the run-up to the election, energy credits were very important. Today, the election is behind us but the cost-of-living crisis is not, yet the Government tells us there will be no cost-of-living package. A total of 300,000 households

Ireland's consumers paying the highest energy prices in the European Union. With every report we see, we talk about the cost of living. One of the key aspects of the cost of living is the cost of energy, not just for the householder or the small business

agus níl aon rud déanta ag an Rialtas chun é seo a réiteach. The Government has completely failed to address the cost-of-living crisis. In fact, it seems to be in absolute denial that families and workers are going through a cost-of-living crisis with regard

lack of reliable public transport. These increases in car insurance premiums are adding to the burden of people struggling in a cost-of-living crisis. Sinn Féin's Judicial Council (Amendment) Bill 2021 will tackle what is in effect price-gouging by the insurance companies. The Bill will … Government allowed this Bill to pass through its Stages and come into law to help families struggling to pay bills in this cost-of-living crisis

said: “I want people at home to know that we hear them on the cost of energy and know about the cost of living.” He said that the Government would take action. The very next day, SSE Airtricity became the latest to announce massive hikes in its electricity … time that they are getting hit by double-digit increases in their energy bills. People feel like they are drowning in the cost of living crisis. We have heard Minister after Minister this week and last tell us what they have done about this measure and that measure

shows one in five children, over 225,000, live in families below the poverty line when housing costs are accounted for; — the cost-of-living crisis is deepening with annualised food price inflation in August up by 5 per cent; — Ireland already has some of the most expensive … radical action, we are likely to see the impact of Government failure and inaction on future generations. Budget 2026 must be a cost-of-living budget. We cannot return to the previous "Late Late Show" style of one-for-everyone-in-the-audience budgets. The Labour Party

multi-purchase deals. They cannot put solar panels on their homes. They are exposed to the sharp end of the cost-of-living crisis. The Minister for Social Protection and other Ministers come in here and trot out figures to show that inflation is down and that … case. The rate of inflation may have eased, but prices have remained very high and the reality is that the cost-of-living crisis is hitting lower-income households the hardest. We did not come here today just to give out. We came with proposals, which the Government

year, because this scheme has been completely vandalised by the Government. Households, especially those with children, are under huge pressure from the cost-of-living crisis. Food price inflation was up again by 5% in the month of August. In recent years, an additional €3,000 per year … year. Energia is up by 12.1% or €200 per year. Flogas electricity is up 7%, an extra €126 a year. The cost-of-living crisis will push more and more families into poverty. Significant energy credits, totalling at least €500, must be introduced in the coming budget. There

yesterday when I responded to the issues Deputy McDonald raised. I assure her the Government takes extremely seriously the issues concerning the cost of living and the pressures they put on families. The Deputy recounted a series of increases that will take place. The Government is well aware … that will be announced in 13 days by the Ministers, Deputies Donohoe and Chambers, I assure Deputy McDonald that concern for the cost of living and hard-pressed families will be at the centre. The Deputy mentioned a number of items she highlighted yesterday. Similarly, I want

every TD who is not in Sinn Féin, is aware of the pressures that people are under when it comes to the cost of living. The Deputy does not have a monopoly in terms of understanding that. We are fully aware of it. We have introduced measures … past that the Deputy has acknowledged have ameliorated the cost-of-living pressures on people. She is acknowledging that by giving us credit for the energy credits that were introduced in the past. The fact that we have done this in the past is indicative that it will

capacity to maintain their status as people who are barely getting by in the face of exorbitant rents. There is a cost-of-living crisis. Workers need a hand up. They need a break and a cost-of-living package. They need to make provision for their retirement

predecessor this pension scheme does not prioritise workers’ financial well-being either today or in retirement. In the midst of a cost-of-living crisis workers will see their take-home pay go down and while the Government will allow them to opt out, it is bizarrely delaying … their right to do so by six months. At the same time workers continue to face a cost-of-living crisis that has not abated. There are spiralling rents, increased college fees and Government supports like the energy credit have been withdrawn. Now the Government is going

know how many debates there have been since the resumption about the fact people out there are absolutely suffering in a cost-of-living crisis, especially those who are at the middle, and even more so those at the lowest end, when it comes to earnings … those who most need it. That is combined with the added pressures they are under at this time in relation to the cost-of-living crisis. This is a time when the Government has moved itself back from at least some of the mitigations that have been offered

when it comes to addressing the difficult circumstances that members of the public find themselves in as a result of cost-of-living pressures? It is important to point out that this Government has done a huge amount in respect of those cost-of-living pressures. By looking

amongst the highest in Europe leading to an extra €500 on household bills and is a leading factor in Ireland's cost-of-living crisis; — the number of households in arrears are at their highest level since records began with 300,000 households in arrears on their electricity … operation in order to ensure natural resources are directed toward the generation of national wealth rather than private gain. Ireland’s cost-of-living crisis is causing workers and families the length and breadth of the country to be hammered by soaring prices. If it is not rents

their fair share instead of being subsidised by ordinary householders. Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael have said they will not introduce a cost-of-living package regarding energy credits during a cost-of-living crisis when people are finding it extremely difficult to get by on a weekly

this year, but that is not the same as saying we do not intend to take action to help families with the cost of living. However, we have got to take measures that are sustainable and permanent. We are moving away from one-off measures to permanent, sustainable … very shortly. I want people at home to know that we hear them on the cost of energy and know about the cost of living. It is usually right that you wait for the budget before you criticise

country, creating new inequalities and deepening the plight of families fighting every day to keep afloat. I am talking about the cost-of-living crisis. Ireland is a rich country, but for far too many people it feels poor. Despite high GDP, child poverty rates now match those … this budget. It is a political choice it will make. The media say the Government is not going to do a cost-of-living emergency package. The Taoiseach's task, however, is to create a sustainable future, so we need to see the reinstatement of targeted energy credits

showing almost half of families cutting back on essentials, whether he accepts that successive Governments have failed to protect families from rising cost-of-living pressures; and if he will introduce a dedicated cost-of-living package in Budget 2026. [50754/25

Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Transport the plans for the €2 fare which was introduced as a cost-of-living measure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51496/25

Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Transport if he will abolish public transport fares as a cost of living, air quality and climate action measure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51850/25

Protection if he will review the income thresholds for single occupancy households applying for the fuel allowance, in view of the increased cost of living and the fact that two-person households benefit from a higher threshold; and if he will consider raising the income limits for single

income threshold/means test for persons applying for a medical card aged over 70 years old, to keep in line with the rising cost of living; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51214/25

Minister for Health if she will consider raising the income threshold for medical card eligibility due to the increase in the cost of living; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51397/25

Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment if he will support increasing the national minimum wage to €17 per hour to address the cost of living crisis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50126/25

Enterprise, Tourism and Employment if he will support a substantial increase in the national minimum wage in 2026 to address the cost of living crisis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50125/25

used to determine the proposed increase in the national minimum wage for Budget 2026; whether the increase is sufficient to meet current cost-of-living pressures in housing, energy and food; if further adjustments are planned before the finalisation the Budget 2026; and if he will make

nationalisation of electricity and gas supply to ensure affordability and security for households, given many people can no longer cope with rising cost-of-living and energy bills. [49378/25

actions he plans to take in order to address concerns that social welfare payments are not moving in tandem with the rising cost of living; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48170/25

Protection the position regarding any Departmental review of the existing rate of payment under the living alone allowance to reflect the increased cost of living; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48307/25

with those over 25, in light of recent polling showing that three in five young adults are considering emigration due to the cost-of-living crisis. [48781/25

Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will consider retaining the €1,000 college-fee reduction introduced as part of the cost-of-living measures, in light of the ongoing financial pressures facing families due to the high cost of food, utilities and housing

Gaeltacht to list all awards under the community and voluntary energy support scheme and any other once-off DRCD energy cost-of-living supports paid to organisations in County Carlow and County Kilkenny showing recipient, location, amount approved, and amount paid; with totals per county from

income families, if he will commit to indexing core social welfare schemes and supports in Budget 2026, to protect against further cost-of-living erosion. [46808/25

foster carers allowance took place; the steps her Department have taken to review the foster carers allowance with regard to the increased cost- of- living; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46889/25