Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats) | Oireachtas source

We know we are in the middle of a cost-of-living crisis. We know that inflation has surged by 5.5% and stands at a 21-year high. Families are struggling with basic necessities. It is getting more difficult for a very large number of people to put food on the table and at the same time heat their homes. An increasing number of households can no longer afford to do both. Every facet of daily life has been impacted. There have been huge increases in food, transport and energy costs. We know that accommodation is a big one, as is insurance. Energy bills are expected to soar by an unprecedented €1,300 this year.

The Tánaiste was asked about this at the weekend. He cited a number of things the Government is doing, including changes to the budget and the forthcoming €100 credit, as making a meaningful difference to people. It is frankly a bit insulting for the Tánaiste to pat himself on the back in the context of the core social welfare rates and pensions, which were increased by €5. The Government was warned before the budget that the pension had fallen in purchasing power by €10.24 since 2019, which is the last time there was an increase. Given the surge in inflation in recent months, its real value has been eroded further. The €100 credit for energy bills that the Tánaiste claims will be introduced as a matter of urgency is not likely to come for a number of months. In the context of those working families trying to keep their heads above water, the Government tinkered around the edges with taxation measures and cuts. We can see that, for example, a single person on a low to middle income of between €25,000 and €35,000 will receive €2 a week, whereas somebody on €100,000 will receive something like four times that amount. Meanwhile, the minimum wage has increased by 30 cent, which is just about 3%, and that, obviously, has been decimated by inflation. If we add in sky-high housing costs, with rents at record highs and a 14% increase in housing prices, the scale of the crisis becomes evident.

Does the Tánaiste think the Government has done enough to insulate people from the cost-of-living crisis? Will the Government introduce further targeted supports for those who are struggling to make ends meet?

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