Thomas Gould (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Last weekend, hundreds of people came onto the streets of Cork city to call on the Government to take action. So far, it has not done enough and people are suffering in this cost-of-living crisis. Their voice and message were clear. People are sick of rising fuel and energy prices and the Government must do more. Caitriona Twomey from Cork Penny Dinners spoke and outlined how that charity is feeding 1,000 people per day in Cork. The Society of St. Vincent de Paul said it is receiving 800 phone calls per day for help. One in three people lives in fuel poverty.

Is this not a clear message to the Minister of State and the Government that they are not doing enough?

Now there is the potential of hundreds, if not thousands, of layoffs in the tech sector. Many of these workers are just struggling to survive at the moment. They could be pushed into poverty and towards using charities such as the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, Cork Penny Dinners and others. The Tánaiste's response is just to shrug his shoulders. It was the same shrug he gave in respect of the Debenhams workers and when we spoke about people who are on prepay meters, family carers, foster carers and pensioners. Where is the support? Where do matters stand as we head towards Christmas. The weather is getting colder. Parents will have children at home for much longer. The worry is how they will heat their homes and how they will provide the additional meals that will be needed. There is not enough in what the Government has put forward for those people. Christmas is meant to be a time for families when people can come together and enjoy each others company and the season. For many, this Christmas will not be a happy time.

The Government needs to do more. Energy companies are making huge profits and the Government is sitting idly by.

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