Johnny Guirke (Meath West, Sinn Fein)

The rising cost of food has been a worry for many families. Food inflation is now running at double the rate of general inflation, with many families being forced to fork out an additional €3,000 per year just to keep food on the table. The prices of the likes of meat, cheese bread and beef have skyrocketed. The cost of a pound of butter has increased by more than €1 in the last year alone. The economist Oliver Browne has calculated that grocery prices have increased by 36% over the past four years. Meanwhile, more than 103,000 calls for help have been made to the Society of St. Vincent de Paul this year, with nearly half of those requests related to food support. We see it everywhere, from the cost of baby food putting enormous strain on families to students facing soaring fees and no meaningful support in the upcoming budget. I do not blame small retail shops in villages right across Ireland. They are struggling to keep the lights on and the doors open. What needs urgent attention are the wholesalers and the larger supermarkets, which are driving these price hikes with price gouging.

Workers in this country have never worked so hard, yet they have very little to show for it. Approximately 70% of people said that they were concerned about the cost of living. Almost 20% of families have had to cut back on heating costs in the past six months, according to research from Barnardos on the impact of the rising cost of living. Two in five people say that they are going without other essentials, including food and medical appointments. The Government has ruled out any meaningful cost-of-living support but there is no surprise there given that there is no election this year. Families and workers cannot afford to wait on political games; they need action. Profiteering is no doubt part of the cause of many families struggling. This Government needs to examine the root of those making millions. It is time for the Government to recognise this crisis and take concrete steps to support families, workers and small retailers and shops. At the end of the day, no one should have to choose between feeding their family and paying their bills.

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