Chris Andrews (Dublin Bay South, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the opportunity to speak on this motion which in reality reflects people's everyday circumstances. The rising cost of living is being felt across communities, whether in Ringsend, Donnybrook, Kimmage or Kevin Street. It is the issue that people are raising with me. People have to decide between heating or eating. That is of huge concern to everybody in this House. Everyone is feeling the pressure of these rising costs.

Recent research from Red C on behalf of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul found that 30% of people have had to cut back on essential heating and electricity costs and approximately 20% have had to cut back on essential food costs. We know who feels these sharp increases in the cost of living most. Low and middle income workers and their families are hit hardest. These households must spend a higher proportion of their income on food and fuel. Week after week, they are left with less of their disposable income. This is having a devastating impact on inner city communities across Dublin.

The rising cost of living and the housing crisis are ripping these communities apart. For so many, these rising costs are making the hope of owning a home or renting within their community almost impossible. The rising cost of renting swallows a large chunk of most people's salaries and many people feel suffocated by all of these rising costs. This devastates local communities, families and couples who simply want to settle down and start a family. So many of these young people are being forced out of their communities in search of housing. We need to see a meaningful suite of measures put in place to ease the burden on people.

This motion brings forward a wide range of measures aimed at easing that burden and giving households much-needed support and a break. It includes a cost of living payment of €200 for adults on an income of less than €30,000 per annum and €100 for those on between €30,000 and €60,000 per annum, further reductions in excise duty on petrol and diesel and the temporary removal of excise duty on home heating oil. This is what is needed.

I support this motion.

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