Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Let us be clear that Sinn Féin has put forward a package of measures that are required to ease the burden of the cost-of-living crisis that so many are facing, including specific directed measures that would ensure social welfare recipients and people on lower incomes receive targeted supports. We also need to recognise the lived realities of hundreds of thousands of families. I will never forget the telephone conversation I had with a person who told me that on their way home from work they have to hold their breath while looking at the petrol gauge and cannot begin to think about how they will drive to work the next day, without even considering whether they will purchase a lunch for themselves as that is not an option. I asked the Minister of State a specific question. Will he introduce measures to support people in that position between now and the summer? He did not respond to that question so I will ask him again. Will the Government do a single thing to help those specific people between now and the summer recess? If it does not, those people will be waiting at least six months before this Government intervenes.

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