Cost-of-Living Supports: Motion (Resumed) [Private Members]
Dail Éireann — 2023-02-14
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Peter Fitzpatrick (IND), Louth

I welcome the opportunity to speak on the spiralling cost of living, which is the biggest concern for my constituents coming into spring. Although income tax changes and the cost-of-living supports announced in budget 2023 aimed to protect households from the rising cost of living and the impact of inflation, a survey by Barnardos published earlier this week showed that one in ten people had relied on the likes of food banks or food donations over the previous 12 months. This is more than double the number from the previous survey, which indicates that people are being crucified and the prolonged cost-of-living crisis is causing significant financial hardship to families and businesses throughout my constituency of Louth and East Meath.
From an economic perspective, we face two enormous challenges, namely, the cost of living and housing. New figures show the State paid more than €58.2 million to 97,224 applicants for expenses such as energy bills, rent, mortgage payments, clothing, child-related costs and financial help with illness. While another electricity credit of €200 is set to come off bills in March, the reduced 9% VAT rate on electricity and gas and the reduction in excise duty on petrol, diesel and home-heating oil are due to terminate at the end of February. This will see the price increase at the pumps.
Many of my constituents face choosing between eating or heating, with 29.4% of households spending more than 10% of their income on home energy needs. People just need to have the disposable income to meet the additional costs of living. On top of this, the ban on energy disconnection is set to end. We need to step in. We need to commit to the payment of a spring bonus for those relying on social welfare payments and ensure that community welfare officers are available in the community to provide urgent supports to households experiencing severe utility debt.
I acknowledge the measures introduced by the Government in the budget. In theory, people should have more money in their pockets but due to inflation many families are being pushed into poverty. Costs in this country are spiralling. While one-off social housing and pension payments are welcome, as is the extension of safety measures, such as the extension of the ban on evictions and electricity disconnection, we need to offer hard-pressed families real, long-term supports.

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Retrieved: 2026-08-14T04:51:34+00:00
Sitting date: 2023-02-14