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Ireland's church leaders have said government policy should focus on eliminating poverty

People asking for ready meals at food banks - bishop

Ireland's church leaders have called for more Government support for people struggling with the cost-of-living crisis, amid cases of people requesting ready-to-eat food from food banks as they cannot afford the electricity to cook it.

Ireland • 25 Aug 22

Budget 2023 is due to take place on 27 September

Regional TDs demand €50m fund to cut farm emissions

Regional Independent TD's have called on the Government to ensure that the Budget tackles the cost of living crisis and supports struggling families and businesses.

Ireland • 24 Aug 22

Pat McKenna, principal of Pobalscoil Neasáin Secondary School in Baldoyle, Dublin

Finding teachers 'most stressful' thing - principal

With just days to go to the start of the new term, the finishing touches are being put to the school building at Pobalscoil Neasáin Secondary School in Baldoyle, but far from finished is the process of hiring teachers.

Ireland • 23 Aug 22

The TUI said pay discrimination in teaching is having a negative impact on the attractiveness of the profession

Staffing issues may limit school's subject choice - TUI

The Teachers' Union of Ireland is warning that a severe teacher recruitment and retention problem in schools is being exacerbated by the cost of living crisis and may result in reduced options for students.

Ireland • 23 Aug 22

SVP reports 20% increase in requests for help this year

St Vincent De Paul has reported an increase of 20% in the number of requests for help since the beginning of this year, compared to the same period in 2021.

News • 22 Aug 22

'Free education just doesn't exist I'm afraid', one father said

Major increase in 'back-to-school' loan applications

Loan applications to do with back-to-school costs at Roscommon Credit Union have risen dramatically, according to CEO Bernie Moran.

Ireland • 22 Aug 22

Minister Michael McGrath also said that a figure for the separate cost of living package has yet to be finalised.

Half of upcoming Budget spend already allocated

The Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform has told RTÉ's News at One that half of the upcoming Budget spend is already allocated, leaving a balance of €2.7 billion which "will have to fund everything else".

Business • 18 Aug 22

The Government will unveil a multi-billion-euro plan next month to alleviate some pressure on taxpayers

30% income tax rate 'technically possible' - Donohoe

Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe has said a 30% rate of income tax is "technically possible" and that Budget 2023 will contain an overall personal tax package that will aim to help with the rising cost of living.

Ireland • 11 Aug 22

The survey found that the basic cost of sending a child to school in 2022 remains substantial

School costs putting parents under pressure - Barnardos

Parents are worried about meeting back-to-school costs this year, according to children's charity Barnardos.

Ireland • 26 Jul 22

Unions say Government not serious about pay review

Unions have accused the Government of not being serious about concluding a review of the current public sector pay deal.

Ireland • 19 Jul 22

Micheál Martin said he was 'concerned about the winter'

Cost-of-living crisis could last into spring - Martin

Taoiseach Micheál Martin has warned that the cost-of-living crisis could last into the spring of 2023.

Ireland • 13 Jul 22

Childcare costs vary from county-to-county - often significantly - while costs here fare poorly against almost every other European country

How childcare costs stack up across Ireland, and Europe

Childcare is often referred to as a second mortgage for families; Adam Maguire takes a look at how the cost stacks up across the country and how it compares to the rest of Europe.

Business • 10 Jul 22

Leo Varadkar said an energy credit for every household would be simple to administer

Further €200 energy credit is an option, says Tánaiste

Tánaiste Leo Varadkar has said that giving energy customers another €200 off their electricity bills is "certainly an option".

Ireland • 05 Jul 22

Rising energy costs are fuelling inflation hikes

Inflation rate: A big number that could get even bigger

August is likely to see rises in energy prices translating into even higher inflation.

Analysis and Comment • 02 Jul 22

How much money the Summer Economic Statement and half yearly Exchequer returns say is available is likely to gain further attention next week

Ministers due to discuss Budget timeframe next week

An announcement to bring forward the Budget is expected to be made in tandem with the publication of the Summer Economic Statement, which will go to Cabinet early next week.

Ireland • 30 Jun 22

Paschal Donohoe said the Government cannot respond on a month-by-month basis

'Prolonged period of high inflation' possible - McGrath

The country may be facing in to a "prolonged period of inflation", according to the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform.

Ireland • 29 Jun 22

Simon Coveney said the Government is designing a budget to respond to the cost of living crisis (Pic: RollingNews.ie)

Govt 'very much aware' of cost of living pressures

Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Coveney has said the Government is "very much aware" of the pressure families are under due to the cost of living crisis.

Ireland • 24 Jun 22

Leo Varadkar said the Government can reduce the income tax burden on workers

Budget will focus on 'cost-of-living crisis' - Varadkar

Tánaiste Leo Varadkar has said there is a need for a substantial welfare package in October's Budget, along with greater childcare supports and a reduced tax burden on middle-income earners.

Politics • 20 Jun 22

Micheál Martin said there would be meetings this week to discuss the summer economic statement

Taoiseach targets Budget for cost-of-living measures

The Taoiseach has said it is his preference to wait until October's Budget before introducing any further measures to ease the cost of living, saying the Government's intention is to introduce a "comprehensive" package at that time.

Ireland • 19 Jun 22

The Irish Congress of Trade Unions said in a statement that the Government had offered supplementary pay rises of 2.5% for the period 2021-2022 and a further 2.5% pay rise for next year (Stock image)

Mind the gap: Big divide in public pay talks

Initially, unions said they would not discuss details of the pay offer made by the Government, but on Friday evening that all changed.

Analysis and Comment • 18 Jun 22

People Before Profit TD Richard Boyd Barrett warned that if the Government does not act on the cost of living there will be more protests (Pic: RollingNews.ie)

Protesters speak out on the cost of living 'struggle'

A number of protests were held around the country over the cost of living with protesters across the generations expressing their concerns.

Ireland • 19 Jun 22

Sinn Féin Finance spokesperson Pearse Doherty said low and middle income households need help

Public transport and childcare costs to be addressed

The Government is working on proposals to potentially lower the cost of public transport and childcare, the Tánaiste has indicated to the Dáil.

Ireland • 19 May 22

The average household is facing a €330 price increase on their annual grocery bill

Is it sustainable for business to pass on rising costs?

Businesses are passing on rising costs to their customers, according to a slew of data published this week, but is there a limit to consumers' spending power?

Business • 07 May 22

VAT rate on gas and electricity cut to 9%

VAT cuts on gas and electricity from 1 May

The Cabinet has signed off on the plan to reduce the VAT rate on gas and electricity from 13.5% to 9%.

Politics • 13 Apr 22

Government plans more supports for households struggling with energy costs

Govt must tackle cost-of-living 'over the medium term'

The Taoiseach has said that the Government must look to tackle the rising cost-of-living over the medium term, as it "cannot take measures every single week in response to every single price increase that may occur".

Ireland • 04 Apr 22

Cost of Living