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Ministers, they would have thought that this must be a country where ordinary people are doing great, where there is no cost-of-living crisis, where workers are getting on just fine and where companies must be really struggling, hence the need for a budget to help them … great. All these corporations are profiting from the crises affecting ordinary people, namely the housing crisis, the health crisis and the general cost-of-living crisis. It is ordinary people - workers, carers, disabled people, renters and young people - who are struggling. One in five children is growing

cuts to student fees, there is a fee increase today. Instead of a once-off energy credit for families suffering from the cost-of-living crisis, there is a carbon tax increase today. The Government is going in the opposite direction in terms of the promises it made … last November. One of the biggest problems of the Government is that it is one of the key drivers of the cost-of-living crisis. Last year, the Government took in €4.1 billion in fuel taxes. This was highest ever in the history of this State

cost-of-living is too high but the Government is in complete denial about this reality. It seems to believe that the cost-of-living crisis is over and it is ruling out a cost-of-living package while households struggle. It is clear the Government is totally … have to be on the table, including direct intervention to stop supermarkets from hiking prices without justification. The Government must introduce a cost-of-living package without delay. Families across the State are depending on it and it needs to step up to the plate

putting huge strain on families across the country. Right now families in Donegal find themselves caught in a pincer movement between the cost-of-living crisis and the defective concrete scandal. This is on top of long-standing geographic and infrastructural neglect. This is not anecdotal. The figures … employment outside tourism or seasonal work. The exclusion limits access to high-paying jobs and remote opportunities. This inequality significantly worsens the cost-of-living strain on people in my county. Rent is astronomical and supply minimal. The Taoiseach, in response to my question yesterday, pointed out there

motion from the Social Democrats. It is very important and opportune. Families across the country are struggling to make ends meet. The cost-of-living crisis is an ongoing crisis that is no longer temporary or once-off. Everything is going in one direction, which is up. This … years and never come down. Our energy prices are one of the highest, if not the highest, in Europe. The Barnardos cost-of-living impact report yesterday confirmed a third of Irish families are in arrears with the their energy bills. Grocery prices have similarly increased

colleagues to get education cuts reversed and to stop registration fees being increased. That was when stuff was quite expensive. The cost of living rose post Covid and the registration fees were reduced by approximately €1,000. The question we have to discuss tonight … talk about it now. I thank my colleagues for allowing this debate because it is important to talk about it now. The cost of living is still high. Students are still faced with so many pressures. We see the impact on mental health because of that

taken aback by the range of issues people had. I have listened attentively to what the Minister said today about cost-of-living measures. I acknowledge those actions. In the past three years, however, there have been a range of one-off cost-of-living measures in budgets … nonsense out of the way and ask definitively if the Minister for Finance is saying there will be no one-off cost-of-living measures in this year's budget. There will be nothing for people with disabilities as there was in the past, or the fuel allowance

theaghlaigh. Soaring prices - that is what everybody is talking about out there. In the last couple of weeks, we put out a cost-of-living survey online. Thousands of people replied to that survey and the results mirrored what we hear every day. The price of everything … their partners in government, stand up and say they will not do anything for them and will not bring forward a cost-of-living package in this year's budget. The State has never been better off but the hard-working people who made that happen have been

This is shocking news emerging about the plane crash. I want to deal with the issue of the cost of living. I was going to raise the issue of education and how some schools are under pressure to keep the lights on. However, I see the Fine Gael … another €83 on to that. This is money that comes out of people's pockets in the middle of a cost-of-living crisis. Does the Tánaiste not listen to his constituents who tell him about their grocery bills going through the roof? Does he not hear that

paid sick leave. This delay worsens financial and health hardships for workers and families. When we are in the middle of a cost-of-living crisis, I absolutely do not see it as a contest between employers and workers. The greatest asset of any business is its workers … workers we are seeking to protect here and other workers, it is vital to recognise that they are living in a real cost-of-living crisis. The cost of living extends to people trying to be able to afford their groceries and trying to pay their energy bills

billion. At the same time, the Government tells workers and families they are on their own and there will be no cost-of-living package in this year's budget. Does the Government simply not get it or is it ignoring the plight of ordinary people … under serious pressure due to the cost of living? We have double digit rent increases. We have the highest electricity prices in Europe. The cost of insurance is going through the roof - up 9%. The cost of groceries is going up. The cost of petrol and diesel will

deeply concerned and dismayed by reports in the media that the Government is planning to completely axe cost-of-living supports without any indication being offered about this being tied to evidence of a reduction in the cost of living. I am seeking clarity on the matter. Will … cessation of cost-of-living supports and payments in the next budget, as reported, be benchmarked against a reduction in the cost of living

Bill for struggling families, pensioners, disabled people or the hundreds of thousands of workers who are trying to stay afloat in the cost-of-living crisis. The legislation before us shows the Government’s priorities. I will start with income tax because that is where most workers will … also really needed was investment in the solar for all plan we in the Social Democrats put forward to permanently bring down cost-of-living and energy bills for households on a permanent basis, not just for those who can afford the cost of solar panels upfront

also frustrated by Government delay in beginning substantive talks and putting pay front and centre and by its failure to recognise the cost-of-living pressures they are under. Why did the Government not get into talks prior to June, when the previous pay agreement … Government that was supposed to be for workers, but it was not. It was a sprinkle in the middle of a cost-of-living crisis. Middle- and low-income households got crumbs, according to Social Justice Ireland's analysis, and workers on €30,000 or below actually lost

have been raised on behalf of public servants. I hear what has been said. I understand the concerns about inflation and the cost of living. I hear the concerns about the expiry of the public service agreement. I also hear the concerns of public servants … causes disruption for people who rely on public services, families, communities and public servants themselves. We have consistently stated that pay, including cost-of-living pressures, can and should be discussed as a priority in negotiations on a successor public service agreement. We have made it clear that

autonomy that we currently have. It is important that people do not mislead farmers, hauliers and the public at this moment of cost-of-living challenge. We must also continue to work hard to decarbonise our economy. We know that the two recent shocks to energy markets … energy and reduce our reliance on imported fossil fuels. Energy is perhaps the most visible pressure that households are facing but the cost of living is a multifaceted challenge. Temporary supports are necessary. They help, but they are by their nature not a lasting solution. The most effective

Arís eile, tá muintir na hÉireann ligthe síos ag Rialtas nach dtuigeann na deacrachtaí a bhíonn ag daoine sa tír seo. The cost-of-living crisis is pushing workers to the brink. More than 100,000 public and civil servants have been forced into industrial action because … justify that? The Tánaiste knows that people on between €30,000 and €40,000 are really struggling day to day with the cost of living, so why has he made sure that they do not get the same benefit as people on higher incomes? So much for helping

them less than nothing in this budget when you look at how the tax changes relate to the actual increase in the cost of living. Even by the Government's own budget book, nobody is getting more than about 1.5% and many are getting less than 1%, such … against a background where they have already lost out from the fact that their pay has not kept pace with the rising cost of living. The last pay agreement came to an end at the beginning of this year and there has been no increase on that. Workers

doing well - that is who the Government represents - and not for ordinary working people, not for those suffering from the cost-of-living crisis and certainly not for disabled people. It is not a budget for any of us - which is all of us - who will be affected … increase. Many are getting much less than that. That will be more than wiped out as a consequence of the cost-of-living crisis, which is still deepening. That is the reality. More people will be struggling. More people will be in deprivation. More people will

have to take so much tax out of every €10 worth of fuel. This is a problem that is contributing to the cost-of-living crisis. Let us look at the increase that people living alone or old age pensioners are receiving in this budget. It will … very quickly evaporated in the spiralling cost of living. The cost of fuel and energy from the ESB is contributing to that. Yes, there are an awful lot of positives in this budget. It is like a job of work that we are at and we just have

most comfortable people who will benefit from this tax change at a time when the majority of people are struggling with the cost-of-living crisis, and when 40% of parents say they have to cut back so their kids can have enough to eat. That … their kids are not impacted by inheritance tax. Our priority is ensuring that those people are not suffering from the cost-of-living crisis. Something important that is often missed in discussions around inheritance tax is that if someone is passing on a farm or business, that

that is because there is no excuse. I am not sure if the Minister of State has read the shocking cost-of-living report by Barnardos. Has she read it? Families were asked if the cost-of-living crisis has negatively affected their children. One in five said … that the cost of living has negatively impacted their children. That is up from 12% in 2022. It asked how often people worry about being able to provide their children with daily essentials. Some 29% of parents worry every day about providing their children with essentials. Half

make services more affordable, reliable, accessible and more widely available; notes that: — households, workers, students, pensioners and families continue to face significant cost of living pressures, with rising costs across housing, energy, childcare and everyday essentials; — the Government has chosen to increase the cost of public transport … public transport; — affordable public transport helps to reduce household costs, tackle transport poverty and help workers and families cope with the rising cost of living; and — commuters are being asked to pay higher fares while continuing to endure unreliable and overcrowded services, including so-called "ghost buses" that

price of petrol, diesel or home heating oil on ordinary working people any further in the midst of a years-long cost of living crisis. For families across Ireland, the cost of living, the cost of the very basics, is continuing to spiral. The costs of simply getting … enough. That is why I cannot simply support further increases in carbon tax when so many households are already struggling with the cost of living. They deserve a good government that recognises the pressure that they are under and focuses on solutions that are fair, affordable and practical

envious position. It has the capacity, in terms of a massive budget surplus, to protect people from the cost-of-living crisis. It is probably a position that governments across the world would like to be in. The Government can protect people from the cost-of-living crisis … targeted attack on those people who use public transport. It makes no sense from the point of view of the cost-of-living crisis as it is going to make it worse and it makes no sense from the point of view of the climate crisis

will review the recent reintroduction of State examination fees for leaving certificate and junior cycle students in light of ongoing cost-of-living pressures on families; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29009/26

Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if childcare costs will be reduced in light of the worsening cost of living crisis; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29067/26

college fees; the consideration being given, in the context of Budget 2027, to further reducing the student contribution in light of ongoing cost-of-living pressures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25220/26

have no alternative transport options; if she accepts the widespread concern being expressed by parents that such a steep rise during a cost-of-living crisis is unreasonable and risks pricing families out of essential school transport; if her Department plans to review, or reverse this increase

Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance the immediate tax or fiscal measures being considered to alleviate ongoing cost-of-living pressures on low and middle-income households, particularly in light of rising energy, food and housing costs; and if he will make

Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health the number of outpatient non-attendance cases attributed to transport issues, cost of living pressures, or protest-related disruption in each week from January 2025 to date. [28186/26

Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance if he will consider the implementation of an emergency cost-of-living payment in response to the increase in fuel prices; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27768/26

Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance to urgently deal with the cost-of-living crisis (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27803/26

Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment if he will introduce a €500 energy credit for households to respond to the cost-of-living crisis. [26786/26

Affordability Taskforce; the direction has he given the taskforce to address the impact of the conflict in the middle east on the cost of living; the additional supports he will provide for households; the steps he is taking to ensure more households do not fall into arrears

second-round effects on food prices and household purchasing power; and to outline the fiscal policy options available to Government to mitigate cost-of-living pressures arising from such external shocks. [23589/26

Government’s cross-departmental contingency planning for a scenario involving simultaneous energy price inflation and economic slowdown; to detail whether any updated cost-of-living support framework is being prepared; and to set out the criteria under which additional public expenditure interventions would be triggered. [23592/26

Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance if he will address concerns regarding the rising cost of living raised in correspondence (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25989/26

Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance if, in view of the cost-of-living crisis, he will suspend the scheduled carbon tax increase on home heating oil and gas due on 1 May 2026; the estimated cost to a typical household of this increase

reintroduction of leaving certificate and junior cycle examination fees for the 2026 academic year, particularly in the context of the ongoing cost-of-living crisis; when this decision was made and the reason it was not more clearly communicated to families in advance; to provide the expected revenue

reintroduction of State examination fees for the 2026 Leaving Certificate (€116) and Junior Cycle (€109); if she is aware of the compounding cost of living crisis, due to the war; and the specific supports that are available to working parents, not qualifying for medical cards, who are struggling

March 2026, if any review of the fees for State exams is underway in the context of a significant cost-of-living increase; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24169/26

will consider continuing the waived exam fees for students sitting the Junior and Leaving Certificate exams in light of the cost-of-living and energy crises; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25266/26

fees will apply to DEIS schools; if consideration will be given to postponing the fees in light of the prolonged cost of living challenges many families are facing; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25603/26

Minister for Education and Youth the reason the Bus Éireann school transport fee was increased by 100% (details supplied) in a cost-of-living crisis; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26590/26

Deputy Liam Quaide asked the Minister for Social Protection whether consideration is being given to compensatory cost-of-living supports for families with children, particularly school-age children, in light of the continuing pressure of childcare, housing and household costs. [26574/26

Department plans to include paid placements for student veterinary nurses, similar to those in the HSE, given the impact of the cost-of-living crisis on students; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23957/26

surplus influenced the scale and duration of the proposed fuel price interventions, and if so, how this assessment was balanced against current cost-of-living pressures. [23353/26

asked the Minister for Education and Youth the reason fees are being reintroduced for the 2026 State examinations, particularly given the ongoing cost-of-living crisis affecting many families; the reason parents and students are only being notified during the school year; the reason the payment window

increase for a qualified adult for State pension recipients at the same level since 2007, notwithstanding increases in wages, pensions and the cost of living over that period; whether any assessment has been carried out on the real-terms value of this threshold; and if he will make