The budget the Minister's Government announces in two weeks' time must be about ending the rip-off, getting costs under control and supporting workers and families. Households struggle just to make ends meet, hammered by soaring prices at every turn. Yesterday, Kantar reported that grocery prices have shot up again in the last 12 weeks. Of course, people did not need a research report to tell them that; they feel it every time they go to the supermarket. Under Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael, living costs have become una…

The Minister does not have a monopoly on being out of touch or hollow self-congratulation because his buddies in Fine Gael are right there with him.

It is right that inflation has tamed but costs and prices are still sky high. I have instanced four separate electricity companies that are telling us that prices are going up as early as next month. Prices are up and a record number of households cannot meet their bills. That is the reality of the situation. I will make no apology to the Minister or his friends across Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and the Lowry crew for arguing the case for households, workers and families who are struggling in the here and now. I am sim…

You are taking Leaders' Questions.

The Government is failing abysmally. This is farcical.

The money is gone.

Last week, we got the devastating news that the remains of three-year-old Daniel Aruebose had been found. He was missing for four years and nobody in authority noticed. I think this case has to be a wake-up call for the State in terms of the protection of children and vulnerable people. GoodPeople Homecare is a company that provided fake Garda vetting clearances to Tusla. Incredibly, this company continues to have a contract with the Minister's Department, providing vulnerability assessments for IPAS applicants. I …

The Minister did not give me a figure.

I extend my comhghairdeas to both Deputies on very significant and joyous life events. Harvey Morrison Sherratt died on 29 July. Last week I spoke again with his parents, Stephen and Gillian. They are heartbroken and shattered by the loss of their beautiful little boy, and we again send them our condolences and our love. Harvey had a very short life. He was only nine years old when he passed. As the Taoiseach knows he suffered from scoliosis and spina bifida. He waited years for spinal surgery as his condition wors…

As Harvey waited for the surgery that he required, the curvature of his spine deteriorated from 75° to 130°. I do not know if the Taoiseach saw him. The poor wee child was literally doubled over. He struggled to breathe. He waited and waited, and he is not unique. He is unique now in as much as he is emblematic of the wholesale manner in which many other children have been failed. TJ Coughlan from Tullamore in County Offaly is a great young man. He is 20 and was told at the age of nine that he needed surgery. He wa…

No, you are not.

You are sitting on the wrong side of the House now.

I also propose an amendment to the Order of Business under Standing Order 35(3)-----

-----that we have an urgent debate on the issue of energy costs and the absolute need for energy credits to be extended and included in the budget on 7 October. Almost 500,000 customers have-----

-----received a letter telling them that they will face a hike-----

I have 30 seconds to state the amendment and speak to it.

I have posed the amendment.

We need this debate. I thank the Ceann Comhairle for her efficiency in containing the conversation on the floor.

The Taoiseach's plan to withdraw energy credits in October's budget is a terrible one. Last week, almost half a million customers were informed by their energy companies that they would be hit with massive electricity bill hikes from next month. Irish households already pay among the highest electricity prices in Europe and now these energy companies squeeze struggling families again. Then along comes the Taoiseach to cancel the energy credits and he is effectively telling households, "Tough, you are on your own." …

Neither are you, and you are the Taoiseach.