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'I'll be worried about how I'll break even each month'

There has been mixed reaction to today's cost-of-living measures announced by the Government.

Mary Lou McDonald said the package ignores rents

'Nothing for renters' in new measures - McDonald

Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald has said she cannot understand how the Government's cost of living package provides nothing for renters.

Politics • 21 Feb 23

Cost-of-living plan 'last intervention before Budget'

Keep up with developments as they happen as the Government outlines a new package to help with the rising cost of living, within which supports such as a €200 lump sum social welfare payment, and further Child Benefit payments will be announced.

Ireland • 21 Feb 23

The plan was signed-off by the Cabinet this morning

Welfare bonus announced but no new energy credit

The Government has agreed a more targeted cost-of-living package, along with some universal payments, with €470m set to be allocated for social protection measures.

Cost of Living • 21 Feb 23

The Coalition leaders are meeting senior ministers ahead of a full Cabinet meeting tomorrow

€1.25bn cost-of-living package set to be finalised

A €200 lump sum to pensioners, carers and people with disabilities; €100 extra on the Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance and a €100 lump sum on Child Benefit are among a cost-of-living package set to be finalised tomorrow.

Politics • 20 Feb 23

Heather Humphreys said that the package of measures will be much smaller than previous interventions

Cost-of-living measures to be targeted at vulnerable

The Minister for Social Protection has signalled that there will be a further one-off social welfare payment for vulnerable groups, but that it will not be as large as previous cost-of-living interventions announced before Christmas.

Ireland • 19 Feb 23

The package of measures to help with the cost-of-living will be agreed by Cabinet on Tuesday

Temporary tax cuts to be phased out over course of year

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has given the strongest indication to date that the reduced VAT rate on hospitality, excise cuts on petrol and diesel, and tax reductions on electricity and gas will be phased out.

Politics • 17 Feb 23

Tommy St Leger from Cabra asks 'What can be done?' after receiving a €400 gas bill today

'It's hard to fathom' - Cabra residents on rising costs

The rate of inflation may be officially slowing, but prices are still going up and for locals on the streets of Cabra today, the cost-of-living continues to have a big impact.

Dublin • 16 Feb 23

Leo Varadkar said last night that expectations need to be tempered against the financial limits set by last September's Budget

Govt expected to sign off on cost-of-living measures

The coalition leaders and senior ministers had what is being described as a "good discussion" this afternoon on the next package of cost-of-living measures.

Politics • 16 Feb 23

'Government will have to weigh up the merits of universal measures and targeted measures' (stock image)

New cost-of-living measures to be known by Tuesday

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has said there is "no requirement for a mini-budget", but the public will know "no later than Tuesday" what additional cost-of-living measures are to be introduced by the Government.

Politics • 15 Feb 23

Michael McGrath, seen here with Lithuanian Finance Minister Gintare Skaiste, is in Brussels for a meeting of EU finance ministers

Cost of living supports must be 'carefully considered'

Minister for Finance Michael McGrath has said any decisions on easing the cost of living crisis will have to be affordable.

Business • 14 Feb 23

Ministers will meet the three coalition party leaders this week on what measures will be extended (File: RollingNews.ie)

Calls for social welfare rise over more energy credits

Social Justice Ireland has said that additional cost-of-living support must include an €8 per week increase in core social welfare benefits, rather than another universal energy credit.

Ireland • 13 Feb 23

The January sales helped to increase shopping

Consumer spending in January up 17.8% - Revolut

Consumer spending last month rose by 17.8% compared to the same month a year ago, according to the latest data released by online bank Revolut.

Business • 13 Feb 23

The report says increasing the VAT rate would add further to the rising cost of living

1 in 5 restaurants at risk if VAT increases warns RAI

One in every five restaurants in Ireland will be at risk of closure if the Government increases the reduced VAT rate back to 13.5% again as planned, the Restaurants Association of Ireland has warned.

Business • 12 Feb 23

The minister hinted that supports for businesses will be extended and improved

Govt set to 'improve' business energy support scheme

The Government is expected to improve supports for businesses struggling to pay energy bills.

Politics • 11 Feb 23

97,224 people applied for the payments last year - an increase of 41,672, when compared to 2021 (file image)

Urgent poverty payments jump by 75% since 2021

The number of people applying for one-off urgent and exceptional needs payments from the Government when they find they cannot pay bills or put food on the table has increased by 75%.

Ireland • 07 Feb 23

Michael McGrath said many people are feeling real pressure (stock image)

More measures to ease cost of living possible - McGrath

The Government may have to make further interventions to help households cope with the cost of living, Minister for Finance Michael McGrath has said.

Ireland • 02 Feb 23

Eamon Ryan did not rule out entering Government with Sinn Féin

Decision on energy credits will be made soon - Ryan

Green Party leader Eamon Ryan has said the Government will decide "in the next few weeks" whether or not to extend electricity credits into next winter.

Politics • 29 Jan 23

People in Ireland and Greece were quickest to cut expenditure

Survey shows Irish quick to react to cost-of-living

Irish people, along with Greeks were quickest to react to the rising cost of living crisis according to a new global survey.

Ireland • 16 Jan 23

An Post attributes the rise of 8% to the inflation that has affected almost every sector of the economy since 2022

An Post to raise price of domestic stamp by 10c

An Post is to increase the cost of domestic stamps by 10c at the start of next month.

Ireland • 11 Jan 23

The charity is seeing people 'really struggling with cost of keeping the heating, hot water and lights on' (Stock image)

Calls for energy poverty plan to be delivered quickly

St Vincent de Paul has said that the Energy Poverty Action Plan approved by Cabinet last week must be delivered quickly to protect people this winter.

Cost of Living • 20 Dec 22

Energy costs stood out as the issue of biggest concern

Cost of energy biggest cause of worry for public

The cost of energy is the biggest cause of worry among the public, followed closely by the broader cost of living, a new survey by employers' organisation Ibec has found.

Business • 12 Dec 22

Foodbanks are seeing an increase in people seeking help (stock image)

People 'struggling enormously' - Food bank demand rises

A food bank in the midwest has said that 2,000 children have accessed its services due to increases in the cost of living.

Ireland • 29 Nov 22

The analysis found it took time for stations to receive new supplies of fuel taxed at the lower excise rate

Benefit felt from excise cut, just not 'immediately'

A pricing analysis of 50% of the fuel stations in the State shows that cuts in excise duty by the Government last March were passed onto customers, although not always immediately.

Ireland • 22 Nov 22

Inflation experienced by the lowest income households in September was 9.5%

Lower-income households experiencing greater inflation

Inflation continues to be greater for households on lower incomes, rural households and those headed by people over 65.

Business • 18 Nov 22