Kathleen Funchion (Carlow-Kilkenny, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

When I was putting notes together for this debate, I realised that we had a debate on a cost-of-living motion on 15 February 2022. Twelve months later, unfortunately things have got much worse for people. I commend Deputy Doherty on bringing forward this motion.

We have to ask ourselves how we are still in this position. Why are energy companies being allowed to profiteer off the backs of severely struggling families? Barnardos was mentioned by Deputy Doherty. Tomorrow at 11 a.m., its representatives will visit Leinster House and I will host them in the audiovisual room. I encourage the Minister and all Deputies to attend. Government Deputies, too, must be hearing about this in their clinics and constituency offices. Everybody is struggling, and none of us can say we are not aware of the issue.

As was mentioned, there has been a threefold increase in the number of parents resorting to food banks, while 30% of parents have reported they have skipped meals to provide meals for their families and children. That is one in five parents stating that within the past 12 months, they did not have enough food to feed their children. On the one hand, there are celebrations over how well the economy is doing; while on the other hand, people are not able to provide basic meals for their children. I am concerned that tens of thousands of lone parents, in particular, will be pulled further into deprivation. One-parent families are predominantly female led, experience the lowest levels of disposable income and are at the highest risk of poverty. That needs to be looked at.

The fuel allowance, which was mentioned, needs to be extended to recipients of the working family payment because they are, obviously, families on very low incomes. Families cannot pay their electricity bills. This is a continuous issue and people are really struggling. Another issue relates to people not being able to access the community welfare service or to get any assistance or support from it. Moreover, we need to see community welfare officers again based in local health centres, with people able to access face-to-face meetings. That service seems to be totally gone in most areas since Covid, which is being used as an excuse. It is much more beneficial for people to be able to talk to a human being and explain their situation. We have been approached by countless people who are embarrassed to go to the community welfare service or to contact the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, so they ask for our help with that. The Government should hang its head in shame for what it is standing over.

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