Mary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Last week, people hoped the Government would finally respond to the unbearable cost of living with measures that would make a difference. This did not happen because the Government simply does not get it. Tá an pacáiste costais mhaireachtála a d’fhógair an Taoiseach an tseachtain seo caite i bhfad ró-bheag, i bhfad ró-dhéanach. Is ar éigean go bhféadfadh sé difríocht a dhéanamh.

At the weekend, I asked people to share their cost of living stories with me. In a matter of hours, I received almost 1,000 replies. These are stories of extortionate rent, of cold homes, of struggling to put food on the table and fuel in the car, and of unaffordable insurance and childcare. These are stories of hardship and worry, which are pushing families to the edge. I will share some of these stories with the Taoiseach. Kieran wrote to me stating:

We have respectable jobs. [but] Our apartment is an ice box- we have to choose between food and my daughter's medicine or heat. Our daughter...wear[s] 2 pairs of PJ's [pyjamas] during the day and 2 at night while covered in 2 [or] 3 blankets to keep warm. We can't afford childcare so my parents babysit. It's impossible to get on the housing market. I feel guilty every night.

Barbara said:

We have nothing left. I can't buy the same amount of food I used to buy. I buy the cheapest meat. I just hope that nothing breaks down like my car or...[my] washing machine.

Amy told me:

We work full time. We're struggling to put oil in our tank and diesel in [the] car. [We] pay insurance that is colossal, feed ourselves and keep things going. There’s only ... two of us [but] I can't imagine what it would cost if we had kids.

Janice told us:

€950 in rent for [a] one bedroom ... spending €40-50 a week [on] petrol. €2000 [on] insurance. Bills haven't arrived yet for 2022 but I'm really scared.

Robert told me:

I'm getting electricity bills at 240-260 euro and rent of €1,100 for a damp 1-bed apartment. Something needs to be done."

Eamonn said:

After paying utility bills, it is then a toss-up between food and rent. I had to request ... help from the ...Vincent De Paul to get some food. I'm feeling so lost.

Caoimhe says:

I’m a 26-year-old teacher. This year I have found it so tough...[just] to keep myself afloat. My cost of living is nearly one whole pay check. My question to ... government is when will it change? I’m working to survive not [to] live.

Finally, Anna said:

My ESB bill was near[ly] €400. The Government credit isn't worth the paper it's printed on. What about the cost of my petrol? My rent? This government has left me behind.

These stories are just a glimpse of what people face. The package announced last week offered only the bare minimum and it will not make a dent for people. It is very clear that the Government needs to do much more but yesterday, the Taoiseach said there would not be any further interventions until the next budget. He shows no urgency but instead dithers and delays. The Taoiseach cannot seriously suggest that those who are struggling to pay their bills today must wait until October when the Government might possibly intervene. The house is on fire now. Workers and families cannot wait seven months for a fire brigade that might never come.

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