'The cost of living is out of control' - Guirke

Sinn Fein TD for Meath West, Johnny Guirke, has called for urgent action from the government on the cost of living crisis.

Speaking this week, Deputy Guirke criticised government "inaction, despite clear signals that families and workers are struggling to make ends meet amid soaring costs".

“The cost of living is out of control and families are under real financial pressure.

“We are hearing shocking statistics from leading research bodies and charities alike as the cost of living crisis really sets in.

“The Central Statistics Office (CSO) predicts that shoppers could spend an extra €780 on groceries over the next year, due to the increased cost of living.

“Their recent SILC survey also found that poverty rates have increased for older people and those living with a disability as well as increases in deprivation for lone parent families. Many of these households reported falling in to arrears with their utility bills in response to the survey.

“People are really struggling. The government must act now to support ordinary workers and families.

“Sinn Féin has repeatedly called for the government to look at our proposal for a cost of living cash payment. It would deliver €200 for every adult with an income less than €30,000 and €100 for every adult with an income between €30,000 and €60,000.

“This would put money into workers and families’ pockets to help tackle the cost of living crisis.

“Sinn Féin have put forward a range of solutions that would provide much-needed relief to people including putting a month of rent back into renters’ pockets, cutting childcare fees by two thirds, increasing the minimum wage and social welfare rates, and establishing a discretionary fund to assist households with utility debt.

“This would include relaxing the rules around Exceptional Needs Payments and re-introducing walk-in access to Community Welfare Officers. These steps would make a real difference to hard-pressed ordinary workers and families hit by the cost of living crisis."

Deputy Guirke added that people cannot wait until the Budget in October.

"Families and workers need support and they need it now.

“The government should listen to the experiences of households and stop burying their head in the sand.

“It is time to help people who are under real financial pressure by backing Sinn Féin’s proposals to support families and workers during this cost of living crisis.”