Mairead Farrell (Galway West, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Tá a fhios againn le fada an lá go bhfuil daoine ag fulaingt mar gheall ar an ardú ollmhór atá tagtha ar an gcostas maireachtála. Bhí a fhios againne i Sinn Féin go mbeadh an ráta boilscithe ag ardú le hathoscailt an tsochaí, ach is léir nach raibh an fios céanna ag an Rialtas nuair a cheangail sé praghas cíosa leis an ráta boilscithe. Tá sé tar éis éirí níos measa mar gheall ar an gcogadh san Úcráin, ach caithfimid a bheith ionraic faoi seo. Bhí géarchéim sa chostas maireachtála roimhe seo ar fad. Bhí na cíosanna is airde san Eoraip againn, agus bhí costas cúram leanaí cosúil le praghas morgáiste. Léiríonn taighde ó Social Justice Ireland go bhfuil beagnach cúigiú de dhaoine fásta ag cónaí i mbochtanas nuair a chomhairtear an méid airgid atá á chaitheamh acu ar chíos. Anois tá rudaí ina bpraiseach iomlán. Teastaíonn cabhair ó dhaoine. Caithfear gearradh siar ar an dleacht mháil ar ola bhaile, pheitreal agus díosal, agus caithfear níos mó daoine a tharraingt isteach sa liúntas breosla. Teastaíonn ciste lánroghnach chun cabhair a thabhairt dóibh siúd atá faoi bhrú uafásach agus nach bhfuil in ann íoc as a gcuid billí. Sin an cineál gníomh atá ag teastáil ó dhaoine ón Rialtas.

Sadly, the cost of living crisis hit us long before the war in Ukraine. We already had unaffordable rents as well as childcare that cost as much as a second mortgage and we were the fourth most expensive EU country where electricity was concerned. Before Christmas, Social Justice Ireland told us that almost one fifth of adults were living in poverty when housing costs were included. That was the crisis point before the war, and it has now become unmanageable for many people to keep the lights on, keep the house warm and put food on the table. People need targeted supports right now to help them through this difficult time. It is high time that the fuel allowance was extended to those in receipt of the working family payment. We need a discretionary fund so that those people who do not get the fuel allowance and who are in crisis can avail of it.

Unfortunately, we are living in extraordinary times. We need a response from the Government that reflects that.

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