The rising cost of living is squeezing people of all ages across the country, forcing them to make difficult decisions on how they spend their money.
RTÉ News asked people on social media what inflation has meant for them, and how it has impacted them in their lives.
Children
From feeding their children to wondering if they can have any at all, the costs associated with raising a family are front and centre of many people's minds.
"I'm terrified that my time to have kids will pass me by as I can’t even afford to live myself."
"Both me and my husband eat smaller portions now so we can afford to feed our four children … this is so wrong."
"Turning off the heating while the kids are in school."
"We can’t afford a second child."
"It’s made me very anxious about extending unpaid maternity leave with my baby."
"My children have to cut down on their activities."
Food
The increase in food prices are being attributed to rising costs in the production and processing industries, as well as increased fertiliser prices and transport costs.
And with food prices rising in the supermarket, people are reporting that they are cutting back.
"Have to choose between food and heat as the rent has to be paid."
"Cutting back on meat and alcohol as we can’t afford it if I want to heat the house."
"I eat once a day."
"Buying cheaper, less healthy foods to allow for increased energy costs."
"I just make sure my three kids are fed. I only eat once a day."
"I’ve had to really cut back on food to pay my heating bill."
"I used to be healthy and now I survive on Aldi noodles most evenings. I hate it but I’m so broke."
Employment
People are also making difficult decisions when it comes to their work lives.
"I’ve had to get a part-time job to help my parents pay for food shopping. I’m 17."
"I’m quitting my job that I love doing after 22 years for a new job doing shift work for more money."
"It’s made leaving a permanent job harder, and made us reconsider going back to college part-time."
"I might have to drop out of college because I can’t afford it come September."
"Forced me to look for a new job, have been telling my boss I now run out of money every month."
Social
From nights out to those essential trips home, social activities are no different when it comes to rising costs.
"Avoiding eating out. I always pack food in my bag before going out."
"My partner and I, both working full-time, can no longer afford our one night out a month."
"I can’t afford to drive home to Donegal from Dublin as much any more."
"Living with my grey hair to cut hairdresser costs."
"I live 90 minutes away from family. The cost of fuel has impacted how often I can go home."
Housing
The housing crisis was biting long before the pandemic, but between the rising cost of living and already high rent prices, many people reported not being able to save for their own home.
"I’m 28 and still living at home and I’m nowhere close to being able to move out, let alone get a mortgage."
"Rent means I can’t afford to save for a mortgage deposit."
"30 years old and not able to buy a house."
"I’m living at home with my parents at 35."
"Need to move out as the landlord is selling. Can’t afford my own house at 40!"
"We’re both teachers and we can’t afford a house where we are from even with a decent mortgage."
"My partner and I cannot apply for a mortgage to buy a house as we can’t afford our town anymore."
"Living at home with parents at 28 with my partner."
"I’m 27 and the prospect of owning my own home gets more and more laughable by the day."
Transport
With fuel prices at their highest level in years, driving a car has become prohibitively expensive for some.
"More expensive fuel means I am cycling more."
"Trying to run two cars for work is a costing a fortune."
"Costing nearly double to travel to work with the rising fuel prices, public transport not an option."
"Have to do partial work from home permanently as the price of petrol is so high."
"Barely getting by, bills are tough and need juggling. Travelling for work is killing us."
"Fuel is nearly €2 a litre and Americans are giving out it’s $3 a gallon. Rip-off Republic!"
"Had to cancel my broadband and I’m walking 30 minutes to work as I can’t afford diesel."
Groceries/Bills
Bills are one of the increases being felt the most by people, causing the Government to introduce a fuel rebate this week.
"Struggling with the cost of living, especially when supermarket prices increase."
"Between oil, petrol, ESB and food shopping each week I’m lucky to have a penny left over."
"Weekly shop gone up over €20 a week."
"Weekly shopping has gone up at least €30 and my ESB and heat are through the roof."
"Food shopping gone from €120 a week to €200."
"I’m spending my pension and savings to pay my bills."
Health
People reported a knock-on effect of rising costs in other areas such as health, where some were left with a choice of having to decide between healthcare costs, and other essentials.
"I am disabled, and I am often having to choose between food or treatment relating to my disability."
"Little boy at home on oxygen machine at night. Our electricity bill used to be €300 every two months, now it's €600."
"I can’t afford to go to the GP and dentist."
"Buying cheaper, less healthy foods to allow for increased energy costs."
Emigration
Comparisons between Ireland and other countries were raised, with people doubting they would ever be able to afford living in Ireland.
"I moved to Australia because I can't get a job that’ll pay me enough to live at home in Ireland."
"I’m working abroad at the moment and it’s making me doubt if I’ll ever be able to move home for good."
"It’s emigration time."
"Much like many people of my generation I left home and went to another country. I miss home."
"I moved to another country. Everyone I know aged 20-25 is emigrating."
