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move: That Dáil Eireann: notes that: — Ireland is an outlier regarding the spiralling cost of living, and a Eurostat report this week showed we are the most expensive country for housing, health, energy and alcohol, overall prices are 36 per cent above the European Union average, with health … month, while nationwide it is €2,176, which means it costs approximately €30,000 a year to rent here; — the cost-of-living crisis is now mainstream, and families with two incomes are finding it hard to cope, with very little left over for emergencies; — in the past

reason we have a cost-of-living crisis in this country and across the world for working people is because of the greed of billionaires, multimillionaires, warmongers and the governments that back them. The personal fortunes of Donald Trump and his mate, Elon Musk … This year, while ordinary people across the world are crushed with a cost-of-living crisis and some people are being bombed to bits by Musk and Trump's allies in Palestine, Iran or Lebanon, Musk's fortune has gone past $1 trillion. It is massively increasing

Middle East and Gulf region; — is acutely aware of the impact on households and businesses of the recent increases in the cost of living, and is actively monitoring the current geopolitical situation and its impact on costs; — affirms that affordability is a priority for this Government … packages in the European Union (EU); affirms that: — the Government is deeply aware of the pressures placed on households and businesses by cost-of-living pressures; — the National Energy Affordability Taskforce (NEAT) was established in June 2025, to identify, assess and implement measures that will enhance energy affordability

cost-of-living crisis is hitting my constituency of Galway West incredibly hard. In this Chamber I have raised countless examples of families in Galway under unbearable pressure from the cost of living. Working people cannot make their wages stretch to cover soaring rents, crippling energy bills … Government votes against every single proposal we put forward to ease pressures on renters. If the Government were serious about tackling the cost-of-living crisis, it would ban rent increases effective immediately. It would end no-fault evictions and ramp up housing supply by actually building social

Aontú Private Members' motion is designed to reduce the cost of living for families. It is designed to reduce the pressure on families across the country. The Minister of State is right to some extent. There is no doubt that the wars in Ukraine and in Iran … example, have increased the cost of living for families. However, this Government is the main architect of the rip-off Ireland that is hurting this country at the moment. The Government can list a range of different supports it is giving to families, such as child benefit

thank the proposers of this motion for giving us the opportunity to raise important issues around the cost of living. The Social Democrats have said time and again that the Government needs to introduce, as an emergency measure, targeted energy credits. The Government seems to have no interest … emergency measures, namely, the cost-of-disability payment and targeted energy credits, we need investment in permanent measures to bring down the cost of living. My colleague, Deputy Whitmore, spoke about that. It makes no sense that we live on a windy island on the edge of Europe

crisis unfolding in the Middle East, the disruption it would place on global energy markets and its impact on the cost of living in Ireland and across the world. In these times, the value of a capable and stable Government became clear. This coalition must continue to provide … working people. Last year, income tax bands and personal tax credits were left untouched. As wages rise to meet the growing cost of living, workers are being unduly punished by the tax system. The people in the squeezed middle, the workers who keep our economy moving, need

thank the proposers of the motion. I am delighted to get the chance to talk about the cost of living. The increased cost of living is in everyone's mouth, and everyone is saying that their wages are being eroded by the cost of living. I believe

recent report by the Irish League of Credit Unions. It is a lot for parents who are struggling with the cost of living. Government needs to intervene and mandate schools to introduce non-branded uniform clothing so parents can shop around for the most affordable prices. I previously … place, these families could face paying up to €200 for primary school transport and €220 for secondary school transport. In a cost-of-living crisis, this is an attack on working families who are doing their best to get their children to school and to get to work

Government. Instead of easing the pressure, this Government has reintroduced State examination fees, increased school transport charges and reduced a range of cost-of-living supports for schools and for families. Parents continue to subsidise the education system through so-called voluntary contributions because schools remain chronically underfunded … supports such as the back-to-school clothing and footwear allowance continue to help families meet the real cost of education. The cost-of-living crisis has not disappeared simply because the Government has stopped talking about it. Families know that every euro counts. They feel the pressure

their doorsteps. The Government points to improvements like the free school books scheme, but these gains are wiped out by the cost of living. The Government has reintroduced State examination fees, increased school transport fees, cut the back-to-school clothes and footwear scheme and removed the cost

burden, with more than one in four getting into debt. I would say that number is rising now in view of the cost-of-living crisis. Technology is emerging as a pressure point, but uniforms remain the main pressure point. Some 15% of parents have had to avail … gear. Uniforms are supposed to represent equality, but they have become another financial burden on families who are already struggling with a cost-of-living crisis that has been going on for a very long time. Families are being squeezed from every angle, but particularly in Donegal where

cost-of-living crisis. Groceries are up by 40% and diesel is up by 60% over the past five years, yet another bill is landing every August for families who send their children to school. That bill is an ICT bill. It is a bill for a laptop … result of lack of consultation, and now the people paying the costs are the hard-pressed families who are struggling with the cost of living. It is a very similar situation to the school uniform, where we had single suppliers for crested uniforms. These suppliers were often charging

balloting for strike action is unnecessary when we are a Government willing to engage with them. On the general question on the cost of living, we have been clear there will be an income tax package to reward work and support workers across the economy. We want … last number of years, but also that we make a real impact in improved public service delivery and reduce the cost of living, with a priority around childcare, disability services and other areas as part of budget 2027. We must ensure that everything we decide

When we discuss the cost-of-living crisis, we need to move beyond the headlines and focus on the reality facing households. The Government points to falling inflation rates as evidence the crisis is easing but inflation measures the speed at which prices are rising. It does … continue. They were not asking for special treatment; they were asking for common sense. Housing remains another major contributor to the cost-of-living crisis. The Government will point to more than 36,000 homes being completed in 2025. While that increase is welcome, affordability remains the real

measures brought forward by Government because those people needed relief. I voted for that package. Fuel is only one part of the cost-of-living crisis, however. There are thousands of people who will never organise a protest. There are families quietly struggling behind the front door … those living with disabilities who are under just as much pressure every single day? The Government cannot pick and choose whose cost-of-living crisis it responds to. Relief cannot depend on who is most visible. It must reach those who are doing everything right, working hard

giving all of us an opportunity on all sides of the House to discuss the pressures households are facing regarding the cost of living and the actions the Government is taking. It is fair to say that some people on the far side of the House have been … Middle East. To be fair to Deputy Boyd Barrett, he acknowledged it and the impact that it is having on the cost of living, not just in Ireland but right throughout the globe, and how governments are responding to that issue. One thing I will take issue with

show assertive leadership. In our submission on the Presidency, we highlighted six key priorities, namely Irish unity, the promotion of peace, the cost-of-living crisis, workers' rights, overseas development aid and fair play for farmers and fishers. On the first of these, it is extraordinary that … slip off the agenda. However, the conflict there is one of the biggest, if not the biggest, conflicts in the world. The cost-of-living crisis is next. The cost of energy and reform of the energy markets are crucial. Workers’ rights are another priority we highlighted

Cork 90-minute fares and at the same time gave us a 26% increase. How in the name of God with the cost-of-living crisis we have at the moment is that acceptable? I do not think it is. It happened in Dublin. I think most

support to parents. We have learned that three in ten schools are still requiring that parents cough up the expense. In a cost-of-living crisis, parents need the Minister of State to have their backs and to support them, as our motion asks, by restoring grants, reducing

hundreds and thousands, particularly with the rising cost of microchips, for these devices. In a country experiencing a greatly increased cost-of-living crisis with everything having gone up exponentially in price, the last thing families need is another cost to deal with and that is the cost

increasing numbers of schools mandating the purchase of digital devices. We have an absolutely ridiculous situation whereby in the midst of a cost-of-living crisis continuing unabated, the Government has decided it is the optimum time to reintroduce costs for junior and leaving certificate examinations. Most recently

them, however, that means getting into debt, going without and, in some instances, cutting back on food. In the middle of a cost-of-living crisis, the Government reintroduced exam fees. The very least it could do is not make matters worse for parents. Parents in this State

primary school and €2,928 for the post-primary. Those are shocking costs for parents, particularly in view of the cost-of-living crisis. Of course, the Minister of State will point to the free books scheme. Surely even he can see that has been wiped

some cases, they pay penal amounts to illegal moneylenders who charge rates of interest in excess of 50%. In light of the cost-of-living crisis, there is an onus on us to do all we can to help the low- and middle-income households. We have

Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance to address the cost of living crisis by introducing cost of living measures as a matter of urgency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56910/26

Budget 2027, including changes to existing tax credits, childcare-related tax measures or other family-focused reliefs designed to reduce the cost-of-living for middle-income households; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56730/26

Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance to introduce a cost-of-living measure for workers by abolishing the USC for those earning less than €50,000 per year, given that it was originally proposed as a temporary emergency tax; and if he will make

under the student grant scheme; whether consideration is being given to increasing the income thresholds and maintenance grant rates given the rising cost-of-living; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47549/26

than the current reduced payment; whether he acknowledges that many older carers are struggling to make ends meet due to the increased cost of living while providing full-time care; whether the adequacy of current supports for this cohort has been reviewed; and if he will make

Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance the proposals under consideration to alleviate the rising cost of living in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50969/26

threshold of €1,250, having regard to the fact that it has remained unchanged for several years and in view of increased cost of living pressures; if he will consider increasing this threshold; if he will further examine the potential for targeted relief measures, including reduced liability

supports available to students in relation to student accommodation; the additional measures he is considering putting in place to combat the rising cost of living; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50300/26