I have a specific question for the Taoiseach on the cost-of-living increases. Is the Government seriously considering setting up an emergency hardship fund? Last week during statements on the costs of living, I raised this proposal.

The ESRI has also raised the need for the establishment of an emergency fund to help to meet exceptional need payments and for such a fund to be administered by the community welfare officers based in the community as they operated in the past.

Again, the Government is looking at a range of measures in terms of dealing with the current inflationary cycle to see what we can do best to target particular people on low incomes who are clearly under pressure as a result of this price cycle increase.