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The cost-of-living crisis remains a weak spot for Government which the Opposition is now keen to target

Dáil blackout brings cost-of-living crisis into spotlight

A pre-budget row is developing on the cost of living, one which Government may prove difficult to overcome.

It's absolutely fair to say that any talk of the demise of bricks and mortar is definitely not true, particularly here in Ireland, according to Colette Devey, EY Ireland Consumer Sector Lead

Majority of Irish consumers prefer physical stores

A large majority of Irish consumers (70%) still prefer in-person shopping for essentials, with 83% favouring physical stores for fresh food, while 74% prefer them for personal care items.

Business • 02 May

Paschal Donohoe said trade uncertainty is having an effect on sentiment regarding investment and how economies will grow in the future

Trade uncertainty hitting growth already - Donohoe

The Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe said today that trade uncertainty is having an effect already on economic growth and on sentiment regarding investment and how economies will grow in the future.

Business • 01 May

Lorry driver David O'Shea moved home to Ireland after living abroad for ten years, but rising prices have made him question that decision

Cost of living to influence how people vote in election

With polling day fast approaching, the cost of living is among the core factors influencing how people will cast their ballot, writes Joe Caulfield.

Election 24 • 24 Nov 24

We've been speaking to young voters in Cork about the issues that matter to them

Watch: What issues really matter to young Cork voters?

With the General Election campaign in full swing, reporters Kate McDonald and Sinéad Brennan have been to Cork to find out what issues are really on the minds of young voters.

Election 24 • 14 Nov 24

Barnardos is calling for social welfare to be benchmarked to the minimum essential standards of living (Stock image)

47% of families cut back on essentials, says Barnardos

Daily struggles for some households are having negative social, emotional and cognitive impacts on parents and children, according to a new survey from children's charity Barnardos.

Ireland • 29 May 24

Electric Ireland last reduced prices in November

Electric Ireland to cut prices again for 1.1m customers

The Tánaiste has said he believes energy companies could be doing more to reduce their prices.

Business • 15 Jan 24

Consumers were feeling slightly better about their own finances, but were less confident about the outlook for the general economy, today's latest consumer sentiment survey shows

Consumer sentiment improves but anxiety remains

Consumer sentiment improved slightly in December and was significantly higher year-on-year, according to the latest report by the Irish League of Credit Unions.

Business • 21 Dec 23

This is Yuno's second rate cut since it launched in August - though it will continue to offer its variable rate to customers who do not want to switch

Yuno cuts electricity rate for customers who fix price

Energy supplier Yuno has announced a new, lower electricity price for customers who lock into the agreed rate for 12 months.

Business • 27 Nov 23

Consumers plan to cut back on spending in shops, pubs and restaurants in order to ease the pressure on their finances

Most consumers expect higher costs this Christmas

The majority of consumers expect their Christmas shopping to be more expensive this year, according to a new survey from KPMG.

Business • 17 Nov 23

Niall O'Connor, Group Managing Director, ALDI Ireland

ALDI will cut prices as conditions improve

Retailer ALDI says it has seen notable changes in the habits of grocery shoppers, accelerated by record inflation levels.

Business • 02 Nov 23

Government announced a raft of measures today as part of Budget 2024

Watch: Catch up on Budget 2024 in around 90 seconds

Need a recap of Budget 2024?

Budget 2024 • 10 Oct 23

Saggart in Co Dublin is Ireland's youngest and fastest growing town

Budget 2024: The view from Ireland's youngest town

Budget 2024 is just around the corner and people all over the country are keen to find out how it will impact them.

Budget 2024 • 09 Oct 23

The cost of wholesale energy has fallen sharply in the past year

Wholesale energy prices fell again in August

Wholesale electricity prices continued their decline in August compared to prices last year, according to the latest report published by the Single Electricity Market Operator (SEMO).

Business • 15 Sep 23

Paschal Donohoe said that he and the Minister for Finance are 'on the same page'

Govt committed to safety in public finances - Donohoe

Minister for Public Expenditure has said that potential cuts to the Universal Social Charge in the Budget will be a decision for Minister for Finance Michael McGrath to make.

Business • 11 Sep 23

Sugar prices have jumped dramatically in the past two years - which has a knock-on effect on a range of other consumer goods

Sunk Cost: High sugar prices leave a bitter taste

Pantry basics like sugar and flour have seen dramatic price rises in the past two years, with climate change a major factor in the shift, writes Adam Maguire

Business • 06 Sep 23

Every euro in your pocket is now worth considerably less at the till than it was just two years ago

Sunk cost: Consumers suffering two years of inflation

Consumer prices are continuing to rise, but the headline figure no longer tells us the full story of how much more we're paying for our goods, writes Adam Maguire.

Business • 01 Sep 23

'It's going to cost me €60 to get up and down to Dublin now'

Drivers feel the pain of rising fuel costs

From midnight tonight, motorists face a rise in the cost of refueling their vehicles as a hike in excise rates comes into force. These drivers in Donegal are feeling the pinch.

Cost of Living • 31 Aug 23

Back-to-school supports have delivered 'breathing space for families', SVP says (File pic)

Calls to SVP up, but back-to-school supports helping

Calls to St Vincent de Paul for help with the cost of living are up 14%, but back-to-school supports are said to have delivered "breathing space for families".

Cost of Living • 31 Aug 23

At primary level, 50% of parents said they are worried about meeting costs this year

Majority of parents worried about school costs - survey

A survey by children's charity Barnardo's suggests that many parents are worried about meeting back-to-school expenses because of increases in the cost of living.

Ireland • 02 Aug 23

Power-sharing institutions in Northern Ireland have been dormant for more than 16 months due to a boycott by the DUP

NI lacks 'proper policy response' to cost-of-living

The absence of a functioning government in Northern Ireland means that it is the only part of the UK to have lacked a "proper policy response" to the cost-of-living crisis, a think tank has said.

Ulster • 19 Jul 23

It provides information on various expenses associated with student life.

TU Dublin publishes cost of living guide for students

TU Dublin has released its annual cost of living guide, which aims to help students and their families prepare financially for college.

Business • 27 Jun 23

30% of respondents planning a holiday say cost of living pressures will curb their holiday spending.

27% of consumers can't afford a holiday this year

As the holiday season begins, 27% of consumers say they cannot afford a holiday this year, compared with 23% last year and 19% in 2021, according to the last Credit Union Consumer Sentiment Index published today.

Cost of Living • 23 Jun 23

Researchers say the overall level of change has been primarily driven by the rising cost of home energy (over the last two years) and food in the year to March 2023

Minimum standard of living costs up by almost 11% - SVP

There has been considerable increase in the cost of a Minimum Essential Standard of Living across all household types according to a new report from the Vincentian MESL Research Centre at SVP.

Ireland • 15 Jun 23

Tesco said it will decrease prices by an average of 10% on more than 700 products across its stores

Grocery price cuts 'could be turning point' - McGrath

Minister for Finance Michael McGrath has said that Tesco's price cuts could be a "significant turning point" for grocery costs as other retailers are expected to follow suit.

Business • 08 Jun 23