Conor McGuinness (Waterford, Sinn Fein)
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128. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection his views, in light of a report (details supplied) showing almost half of families cutting back on essentials, whether he accepts that successive Governments have failed to protect families from rising cost-of-living pressures; and if he will introduce a dedicated cost-of-living package in Budget 2026. [50754/25]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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The increases in consistent poverty rates, as reported in March 2025 by the Central Statistics Office in its Survey on Income and Living Conditions 2025, are disappointing and reinforce the need for targeted supports to those most in need.

It is also important to recognise that the CSO data is based on data collected in 2023 and therefore does not reflect the Government’s full response to the cost of living in recent years.

Overall, the last two Budgets each contained the largest social welfare packages in the history of the State and included significant increases to core social welfare rates. These measures have not yet been included in the latest CSO data, nor has the Government's significant investment in non-income supports for families during this time, such as Hot School Meals, free schoolbooks and increased childcare support.

However, the Government also recognises that more remains to be done in reducing consistent poverty and we are determined to make an impact during the lifetime of this Government.

For Budget 2026, we have emphasised the importance of directing support to families with children where it is most needed. We know, based on research, that increases in the Child Support Payment and the Working Family Payment are highly effective in tackling child poverty. These payments provide targeted assistance directly linked to household income and are paid in addition to the universal Child Benefit. The Government is considering many inputs and policy considerations, including the Barnardos report, in the context of framing Budget 2026.