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

What is the additional support that will be coming? Unite the Union research published last week reflects that wages have in real terms fallen by approximately €76 per week.

Leaving that aside, as already stated, 160,399 households are in arrears on their gas bills and almost 200,000 are in arrears on electricity bills. When I put the question to the Taoiseach and asked him what he will do in the here and now, he answered as though matters had been resolved. I am sure the Taoiseach is aware that this is a very expensive place to live in - he can ask anybody. That was the case before the cost-of-living spike hit households. I ask him again. This evening we will bring forward a package of measures in respect of groceries and food costs. Will the Government support that? If it does not support that, bar the Minister sending encouraging messages, what will it do to ensure compliance on the part of the retail sector and the energy sector? What is the Government saying to all the households in arrears on gas and electricity bills? What does it propose to do now?

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