Mary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Yesterday, I raised the matter of the patient safety Bill with the Taoiseach. I record that the 221+ group, working with the Minister for Health, alongside my colleague, Deputy Cullinane, and Deputy Kelly, have agreed an appropriate wording for an amendment to that Bill. I commend and thank all of them for that work. It has been most constructive and very much welcomed by the 221+ group.

The cost-of-living crisis is impacting on households. People struggle to keep up with soaring bills across the board. Many people, three in five, according to a report from Deloitte, have no money left at the end of the month. People are now very worried about the months ahead. Times are especially hard for those on low pay whose wages have been outstripped by soaring costs. A report published by the Mandate trade union today presents the stark reality faced by many working in the retail sector. We see two thirds of retail workers earn less than €450 a week and only 20% of them earn more than €500 a week. The main reason for this is that many workers are not able to get the hours they need to make a decent living. Sharp practice by some employers denies additional hours to workers when they become available, forcing many close to the breadline.

We are living through the biggest squeeze on household incomes in 40 years. Rents are through the roof, mortgage repayments are soaring, energy bills are out of control, grocery bills are increasing sharply and childcare fees are sky high. How can someone on a low or middle income get by? The answer is with very great difficulty. Many are on the brink. I spoke to one retail worker this morning who told me about the stress and pressure that she is under. Here is what she told me:

I work hard but I just don’t get the hours I need to live with any security. Things were bad already, but we were just about getting by. Since the rise in living costs, I am having real trouble paying my bills. We’re really worried about being able to keep up the mortgage now. I don’t have a hope of putting any money away for a rainy day or if something goes wrong. The money isn’t there. I have colleagues - people who put in tough shifts - but they are now choosing between putting food on the table or paying the electricity bill. There is so much uncertainty and worry. It’s really tough going.

Léiríonn tuarascáil Mandate go bhfuil oibrithe ar phá íseal faoi bhrú ollmhór de réir mar a leanann an ghéarchéim sa chostas maireachtála ar aghaidh. Ní mór don Rialtas pacáiste tacaíochta a thabhairt chun cinn chun an chinnteacht atá ag teastáil a thabhairt do theaghlaigh.

The cost of living is devastating for people but just as it did last year, the Government is moving far too slowly in responding. Like last year, the Government is failing to give workers and families the clarity and certainty they need. In the last couple of weeks, the Government refused to back mortgage relief measures and refused to legislate to ban extortionate rent increases. When I asked the Taoiseach yesterday about extending the eviction ban, he came up blank. People are struggling now. They want to see a plan from the Government that will help them make it through the difficult months ahead. People are worried now. I ask the Taoiseach to give them the certainty they need today. I ask him to lay out clearly what actions his Government will take as the cost-of-living crisis continues to bite hard.

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