Louise O'Reilly (Dublin Fingal, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I commend my colleague, an Teachta Kerrane, on all the work she has done to highlight the reality of people in such circumstances under this Government. The Minister of State cannot pretend that he does not know there is a problem. He has acknowledged that there is a problem. He is telling people something will be coming for them in October. People cannot wait until the budget. They need urgent action now. The Minister of State advised people to shop around. I think he has acknowledged how hurtful that comment was for people struggling to make ends meet. I want to quote the food writer Caitríona Redmond:

If you’re on a tight budget you are already buying own brand products. In most cases you’d be hard pressed to find a branded item in your shopping basket ...

If you take home €500 per week but need a full tank of petrol to get to/from work which cost €65 a fill this time last year but costs €98 a week this year that’s €33 less you have per week (€1,716/year), before you go shopping [even if you shop around].

Something has to give. It is not a question of the price difference between Brennan's bread and a value loaf. Families are going hungry today.

I listened to the Minister of State's speech. I especially liked the part where he said the Government has not been found wanting. I would love him to take that message to the people that I represent who are making the choice between heating their homes and having food on the table or putting fuel in the car to get their kids to school versus being able to pay their utility bills. They know that the Government has been found wanting because they are living with the reality of what it has done and how much it has been found wanting. Instead of trying to explain to families that there is no problem or that somehow they are at fault, I urge the Minister of State to listen to the lived reality of people in his community and in mine. They are struggling now and cannot wait for the budget.

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