Sinn Féin TD for Dublin South West Seán Crowe has said that every household across the state is seeing massive increases in costs across the board from electricity to rent to groceries, and that elected representatives cannot bury their heads in the sand and pretend that this will not make people’s lives completely unaffordable.

Speaking ahead of a Sinn Féin motion on rising food prices in the Dáil this evening, Teachta Crowe said:

“The cost of living crisis has gotten to a point that is bordering on catastrophic for many of my constituents and others living across the State. 62% of people feel they will have to cut back on food spending over the coming year.

“Many people cannot afford rent. Increasingly they cannot afford to heat their homes and now they are finding it difficult to feed their children.

“There are a great many things this Government could do to lessen the burden on families and help them keep a roof over their heads and food on the table. Irish people are sick and tired of hearing what Government cannot do.

“Sinn Féin have put forward a whole range of workable solutions including putting a month’s rent back into renters’ pockets, reducing childcare fees by two-thirds, and increasing the minimum wage and social welfare rates.

“We are calling on the Government to immediately introduce a cost of living cash payment of €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 as an emergency measure to help families in the short-term.

“The cost of living is a runaway train at the minute. Almost every household expense is seeing massive increases at once. From electricity to rent to groceries. Government elected representatives cannot continue to bury our heads in the sand and pretend that this will not make people’s lives completely unaffordable.

“The €200 energy credit was only a drop in the ocean of what is required. Not that it even was €200 because the Government clawed back the VAT and left people with €176 worth of electricity. They couldn’t even follow through on that promise.

“People are tired of this Government saying they understand the burdens families are facing and talking about examining their possible options. My constituents are tired of it because they know as well as I do that that means that there is neither immediate or long-term help coming.

“We need a Government that will stand up for workers and families. Sinn Féin could be that Government. The establishment has proven time and again that they’re just not interested in anyone but themselves.”