Eoin Ó Broin (Dublin Mid West, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

The cost of living is pushing households to breaking point. People struggle to put food on the table, to put fuel in their cars and to put a secure roof over their heads. A report published by EUROSTAT today shows that Ireland had the highest prices for consumer goods and services in the European Union last year. Meanwhile, we see the biggest squeeze on incomes in a generation. Speaking on the radio this morning, the Tánaiste, Deputy Varadkar, reiterated that the Government has no plans to intervene before the budget unless things get worse. The Minister knows that people cannot afford the basics. He knows that, for many households, it would be a crisis if a child were to need a new pair of shoes. Families across the State are increasingly relying on food banks. Just how bad do things have to get before the Minister's Government acts?

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