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proposals for the budget last year and the Government completely ignored them. The Government has thrown its hands up and said the cost-of-living crisis is down to an international situation. It is blaming global oil prices for the cost-of-living crisis but the reality … core aspects of this cost-of-living crisis are down to the Government’s own policies. What did the Government do just two months ago in the middle of this cost-of-living crisis? It allowed rents to be increased further for institutional investors and corporate landlords. Record

propellent), petrol and auto-diesel (heavy oil used as a propellent) and green diesel (marked gas oil) for the purpose of alleviating cost of living pressures; to provide for the extension of such reductions by order of the Minister for Finance; and to provide for related matters. Cuirim … láimhe a thabhairt daoibh arís, mar atá déanta ag an Rialtas le coicís anuas. I am introducing the Mineral Oil Tax (Emergency Cost of Living Reduction) Bill 2026. This legislation is a demand for emergency action and for the Government to stop dithering and delaying

This crisis in the Middle East is going to cause devastation right across Ireland as a result of its impact on the cost of living. The price of home heating oil has increased by almost 50% in recent days. I have been speaking to hauliers and logistics companies … comes on the back of a lorry. The Government's quest to drive up the cost of fuel directly correlates with the cost of living. We cannot afford this any more. The cost of living is rising very high and the cost of fuel is a significant

Deputy's overall presentation of the Government's response to what are significant pressures on the people in respect of the cost of living. Of course, that began a number of years ago, particularly coming out of Covid and the war in Ukraine in terms of energy prices … that millionaires and people on very sizeable incomes should get energy credits and particularly when, in terms of the totality of the cost-of-living payments we had been making in the worst of times during and post-Covid and in the aftermath of the Russian invasion

justified abandoning ordinary workers in this year's budget to look after those at the top. That is how it justified pulling cost-of-living supports like energy credits and disability payments. It is how it justified handing out all the tax breaks to investors and developers, giving … humility and admit that it got this badly wrong. More importantly, it needs to wake up to reality and bring forward a cost-of-living package. Right now, the Government is just refusing to help. It is not just refusing to help; it is actively making things worse

through employment. That absolutely is no longer the case. There are tens of thousands of workers living in poverty because of the cost of living, including the cost of childcare, housing, electricity and insurance for cars and so on. He cites statistics to show the economy is doing … leprechaun economics of GNP and GDP. The economy doing well is not a barometer that shows we do not have a high cost of living. That is the reality. The statistics are distorted very much by high earners and those at the top with wealth. The actions called

least well-off and most vulnerable in our society have been absolutely hammered by the cost-of-living crisis that has been inflicted on them over the last number of years. It is very important to say that the cost-of-living crisis is not like the weather … does not just happen. The other side of the cost-of-living crisis is profiteering by the people who increase the prices; it is as simple as that. The energy companies ratchet up the prices and have done so consistently over the last number of years. In fact

that the Government has abandoned them. The Government has chosen deliberately to ignore the needs of workers in the middle of a cost-of-living crisis. It could have done alternatives as we and others have shown but what it did was spend big feathering the nests … handout to the rich and well connected. How does the Minister explain that to workers who are getting absolutely hammered by the cost-of-living crisis? These are the workers the Minister told the cupboard was bare. It is a shameful and brazen handout to developers that would

with diesel or petrol, you offer people €10. It will not keep pace with the rising grocery costs or the rising cost of living. The people who sit around the Cabinet table or near it think by saying the cost-of-living crisis over that it will magically … over for people; it is not. If you were listening to your own constituents, you would know there very much is a cost-of-living crisis. If you did not want to listen to your constituents, like the Government representative in my area, who has no office

want to address just some of these broken promises. Broken promise number one is the cost of living. During the election, the Government was clear over and again that tackling soaring prices and the runaway cost of living was its biggest priority. As a man once said about … during an election? That is certainly true of you lads. The Government has delivered a budget worth billions of euro without a cost-of-living package to help workers and families. That just beggars belief. You close your eyes, stick your fingers in your ears and convince yourselves

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

Irish Independent in which a Minister was quoted, anonymously, as saying that the budget would recognise that there is no longer a cost-of-living crisis and I thought, that is it, that explains it. That is fundamentally the issue here. There are Cabinet Ministers … know who exactly, who think the cost-of-living crisis is over. For the avoidance of any doubt, the cost-of-living crisis is far from over. It is far from over for the students in the Gallery. It is far from over for parents of students

past number of weeks or months we have had Ministers saying they will not do a cost-of-living package. They have evaded the question every time they have been asked. When we heard about the plan from the Government to increase fees by €1,000, the Minister … imagine our shock. It shows exactly how out of touch the Government can be, because there is a cost-of-living crisis. I do not have to tell the Minister that. I spoke to many of the students outside the door earlier today, but I speak to them

this issue. I want to acknowledge at the outset, because it is true, that people in this country are still finding the cost of living a very significant issue. I know that, the Deputy knows that and there is not a TD in Dáil Éireann … reduction in the levy and save them a few bob on their electricity bills. The Government is taking action on the cost of living and I do not think it is right or proper to get into a branding exercise about whether there will be a cost

last while. He said this had enabled some firms to increase their profit margins. Two years on from the start of the cost-of-living crisis, the price of the every day goods on which we all rely and the services on which we depend are still high … cards and we are still living with the very real consequences of that period for working families across this country. The cost-of-living crisis has not gone. It was elevated in 2023 but there is a permanent cost-of-living crisis across this country, especially for those

commend my colleague, Deputy Ged Nash, on bringing forward this important Bill. We are all aware of the spike in the cost of living. In four years, the cost of a basket of groceries has risen by more than 35%. This is having a huge impact on families … noticing shrinkflation - the charging of the same prices but with less product. Households across Ireland are having to cope with this cost-of-living crisis - a spike in the cost of living that is affecting every household, individual, family and community. Almost one third of households comprising

most. Although the Government would like to pretend otherwise, the tariff uncertainty is happening as working people are dealing with an unprecedented cost-of-living crisis. Households are hit by soaring grocery prices and energy costs and record rents, and we saw yesterday how motorists are being fleeced … more expensive for those families to heat their homes and cook their food. It is madness in the context of a cost-of-living crisis. Ordinary people are already struggling and cannot afford a tit-for-tat tariff war. With all the pressure on households, what the Government

made by colleagues in the Labour Party, who spoke to the concerns of people who were on picket lines yesterday regarding the cost of living and the pressures they are under. I also acknowledge the representatives from public sector unions who are here. At its core, this debate … contribution made by public servants throughout the State. It reaffirms the Government's commitment to collective bargaining. It recognises that pay and cost-of-living pressures can and should be considered from the outset of negotiations. It notes the substantial provision made in budget 2027 to support

thank Sinn Féin for bringing forward the motion and keeping the focus on this because the Government completely failed to address the cost-of-living crisis in the recent budget. It has fundamentally failed to address it because it does not change the situation whereby Bord Gáis customers … past year. For so many people who are really struggling, this budget simply did not come near addressing the scale of the cost-of-living crisis. What the budget said to me was that this is a Government that is utterly out of touch with what ordinary people

country. Budget 2027 targets resources where they can have the greatest impact, supporting families under pressure, helping workers with the cost of living and investing in the services and infrastructure on which our future depends. However, budget 2027 is not just an exercise in allocation. It is also … package of enhanced renewable energy and retrofit grants, including a boiler scrappage scheme to support permanent reductions to the cost of living. A total of €170 million will be allocated to climate action and the environment. This will include €25 million for the EU just transition programme

families first. It needed to deal with the here and now. It needed to recognise the extent of the impact of the cost of living and to bring in measures to alleviate it. A cost-of-living package was needed but that need was ignored. We needed … cost-of-living package that meets people where they are and that acknowledges that grocery prices are far too high. The Government could have done something about it. It could have cut the price of groceries by giving 1 million households €500 to spend on getting food

increase in public transport fares that the Government intends to plough ahead with in January. The Government has failed to address the cost of living. There is no reduction in electricity costs despite the fact that we have 9% VAT and high standing charges. Of course, households … workers who will get very small changes after waiting a full 24 months for this. It did not do it on the cost of living. It needed to go big on the cost of living and it has not. Pensioners and workers will not keep up with inflation

those of us in Sinn Féin, have been warning the Government about a real, deep anger out there in relation to the cost-of-living crisis. I genuinely believe that the Government does not listen because if it did, it would present a different budget today. When … refused to take responsibility for the fact that the Minister and the Government did not do enough to support people during a cost-of-living crisis. I am conscious that when we are talking about a cost-of-living crisis, it is rents, mortgages, groceries, insurance and across

adequate food on the table for their children, the electricity companies are making record profits? It tells us that the cost-of-living crisis is not a crisis for everyone. In fact, it is an opportunity for those at the top. The cost-of-living crisis, like … robbery of ordinary working-class people and a transfer of wealth from the many to the few. That is what the cost-of-living crisis is about. How can we have record profits in electricity company after electricity company when people are struggling to afford electricity unless something

cost of fuel and energy, as well as increases in public transport fares, adding further pressure to an already severe cost-of-living crisis; and — the Government is directly contributing to this cost-of-living crisis by refusing to introduce price controls on fuel, energy or groceries, abolishing … pension. It is no surprise that more than one in two said that as a result of having this disease and the cost of living crisis, there had been a moderate or severe impact on the financial situation of their family. There were also lots of very reasonable

asked the Minister for Transport if he will intervene to stop fare hikes of 15% hitting public transport users in 2027, considering cost of living pressures, the recent tax break to motorists, and the imperative from a climate perspective to promote sustainable transport. [64505/26

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

Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance his plans to assist people with the rising cost of living in Budget 2027; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48191/26

Deputy Martin Daly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance the assessment that has been carried out of the impact of Government cost-of-living measures on grocery inflation and everyday household spending, particularly in rural constituencies where transport, fuel and food costs place disproportionate pressure on families

Deputy Louis O'Hara asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance the measures his Department will take to address the rising cost-of-living; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46885/26

avail of the scheme as separate applicants; his views on whether this approach disadvantages dual-income households at a time of significant cost-of-living pressures; the status of the review of the HTB scheme previously indicated by his Department; when an outcome of this review will

expected impact such an extension would have on accessibility for first-time buyers, particularly in the context of ongoing affordability challenges and cost-of-living pressures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46928/26

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to review and increase the income thresholds for social housing to better reflect the current cost-of-living, to ensure the thresholds are future proofed; when the last such review took place; and if he will make a statement

with Electric Ireland regarding recent and proposed electricity price increases; his assessment of the impact of such increases on households already facing cost-of-living pressures; the measures he has taken to encourage Electric Ireland and other energy suppliers to moderate or defer further price increases

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will consider increasing the social housing income threshold to reflect the real cost of living and housing crisis in Ireland today (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41723/26

asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will increase the living alone allowance in Budget 2027, in recognition of the increasing cost of living in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43815/26

Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance the consideration being given to the impact of ongoing cost-of-living pressures, including increases in energy, fuel and food costs, on retired public servants and teachers; if additional supports or measures are being considered to protect pensioners

Doherty asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance if he will bring forward an emergency budget to help people deal with the cost of living. [39713/26

Dolan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance the level of fiscal space currently available to respond to a potential energy-driven cost-of-living shock; whether provision has been made for additional supports if required; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26600/26

Louis O'Hara asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance to outline the measures his Department will take to address the rising cost-of-living; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40151/26

further purchases of carbon credits or equivalent mechanisms are planned or budgeted for the current Effort Sharing Regulation period given the severe cost-of-living and farming pressures already being experienced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39011/26

Minister for Transport if he will implement an increase to Córas Iompair Éireann pensions to take into account the increase in cost-of-living; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38935/26

higher consumer energy and fuel costs; if consideration is being given to additional windfall taxation measures to support households facing significant cost-of-living pressures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38965/26

Deputy William Aird asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance his assessment of the scope for further cost-of-living measures in budget 2027; the way in which he proposes to balance targeted household supports with the need to maintain medium-term fiscal sustainability; and if he will