Kildare South TD Says "People Are Really Struggling" And Calls For Urgent Action To Address Cost Of Living

Friday, 10 June 2022 10:48

By Caoimhe Harney

It comes as SVP says people who were already at the brink; are now battling a rising tide of high rents and growing bills.

The government must act now to support ordinary workers and families, according to Sinn Fein TD Patricia Ryan.

The Kildare South TD has said " people are really struggling" and has called for urgent action from the Government on the cost of living crisis.

Speaking during the Sinn Féin Weekend of Action on the cost of living, Teachta Ryan criticised Government inaction, despite clear signals that families and workers are struggling to make ends meet amid soaring costs.

Speaking on the issue, Deputy Ryan said:“The cost of living is out of control and families are under real financial pressure.

“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.

“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.

“People simply cannot wait until the Budget in October. Families and workers need support and they need it now," she insisted.

The Society of St Vincent de Paul (SVP) has also expressed significant concern for families already on the brink as prices rise by 7.8% in May.

The latest Consumer Price Index data from the CSO shows prices rose by 7.8% in the year to May 2022, the largest increase in almost 38 years.

It comes as SVP records over 78,000 calls for help so far this year – approximately a 20% increase on last year.

The Society says that the rising cost of living is pushing more and more families into poverty.

It said from its volunteers’ work in communities, it's aware of countless examples of people across the country unable to heat their homes and feed and care for their families.

SVP has said cost of living measures provided so far have helped and given people temporary relief.

However, it said people on low and fixed incomes were already at the brink; battling a rising tide of high rents, growing bills, often juggling health conditions and caring responsibilities.

Dr Tricia Keilthy, SVP Head of Social Justice commented: “Data from the ESRI and Central Bank clearly shows the disproportionate impact of rising prices on low income households.

"It is critical that the upcoming Budget directs resources towards people on low and fixed incomes, otherwise more people will be pulled into poverty and those already struggling to get by will be pushed even further into hardship.

"Social welfare rates should act as a lifeline, keeping people on low and fixed incomes afloat in sea of rising living costs. Increasing them ahead of inflation is the only way to protect people.

"This should be a first step in a wider plan to strengthen our social protection system making it more resilient to economic shocks and allowing people to live with dignity," she added.

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