Deputy Johnny Guirke has said there must be an emergency budget as people are being crucified by the cost-of-living crisis. He said it is not good enough for Government to tell people to wait until next year before they will undo the damage caused by last year’s budget that left workers worse off and withdrew cost of living supports.
Teachta Guirke said: “Families in Meath and right across the state are drowning with the cost-of-living crisis. They need the Government to get its head out of the sand and throw them a lifeline.
“That is why Sinn Féin is calling for an emergency budget: to help with energy costs, to put money back in workers’ pockets and to target supports to the most vulnerable.
“Last year’s budget was a disgrace. Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael withdrew cost of living supports. They did nothing to end the rip-off and get prices under control. They gave tax breaks to those at the top and left workers worse off.
“They should have got it right the first time, but they didn’t listen and got it badly wrong. They chose to leave workers, already struggling with the cost of living crisis, exposed.
“Now, as the crisis deepens as a result of the war in Iran and the energy price shock, Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael are still not listening. They think people can wait until next year for help. It is unacceptable.
“This Government is so out of touch with the pressures ordinary people are under right now.
“A record number of people can’t pay their electricity bills – even more are barely able to keep their head above water. 1 in 4 can’t pay their gas bills. People are going without home heating oil.
“People have seen their wages eaten away by inflation. People with disabilities have had supports cut even though the cost associated with having a disability continues to increase.
“People cannot wait. We need emergency action from Government. We need energy credits of €400, cuts to USC to put €500 back in workers’ pockets and targeted supports including a €500 payment for people with disabilities.”
