Joan Collins (Dublin South Central, Independents 4 Change) | Oireachtas source

The Taoiseach says that inflation is slowing down. It is still at a high of 8.9% or 9%, depending on who one gets figures from. People are still facing huge costs in their daily lives. The end of February is only four weeks away. The review will be in two weeks. The Government will have to come out of the box very quickly to explain what supports it will give to people. Will there be another cost-of-living double payment to assist people? A gentleman came into my office the other day who is 69 years of age. He had to have the heating on over Christmas and through the winter because his wife has a medical issue. He is facing a huge gas bill, nearly 60% higher than last year. What is that man going to do? He was nearly in tears with relation to how he is going to deal with the debt. Low-paid workers are going to feel that pressure too. Will the Taoiseach look at a mini-budget and increase social welfare payments by another €8 across the board, as Age Action Ireland has called for, and for supports to be more targeted for people who need them? I hope that what comes out in two weeks will be effective in addressing people's cost of living. Some 30% of people are still struggling to make ends meet. They are the people who should get supports.

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