Local Sinn Féin TD, Imelda Munster, has criticised the government for their continued inaction on the cost of living crisis.
This week the government failed to support a Sinn Féin proposal to introduce an emergency budget to deliver much-needed support to workers and families hit by the cost of living crisis.
“The cost of living crisis is hitting peoples’ pockets hard and families are struggling” she said.
“The price of rent, childcare, groceries, petrol, heating and back to school costs are all shooting up, while people’s wages stay the same. People are under real pressure to cover the price of basic essentials.
“The government has failed to deliver much-needed support to ensure that workers get a break.
“Their excuses are wearing thin and people need action now. Sinn Féin brought forward a motion in the Dáil demanding that the government deliver an emergency budget immediately to address the cost of living crisis. The government continues to refuse to take action before the October budget.
“The government cannot keep burying their heads in the sand on this issue. They need to wake up and realise the urgency of the cost of living crisis that people are facing every day.
Deputy Munster said that Sinn Féin has brought forward detailed, costed and deliverable proposals to address the cost of living crisis and added that the government must deliver these policies.
“We need to introduce a cost of living cash payment for people who need it. We have to cut rents and freeze them, including putting a month’s rent back into renters’ pockets with a refundable tax credit” she said.
“We need to cut childcare costs by two thirds, as they are far too expensive for families. We must cut the price of petrol and heating, so that they are affordable. We must increase core social welfare rates to ensure the most vulnerable in society are protected from price rises.
“The government cannot keep ignoring this crisis and the huge pressures people are under. The time to act is now.
