Cost of living and pay
Deputy Bacik raised record demand for MABS and called for higher pay to help households meet rising costs. The Taoiseach said public pay talks could resume and pointed to government measures on fuel, transport, healthcare and education costs.
I mark the sad passing yesterday of Mr. Liam Cahill, the journalist, adviser, author and historian.
Yesterday, when visiting Portlaoise, I had the pleasure of meeting with members of the local Money Advice and Budgeting Service, MABS, team in their office. I heard from them how their calls have reached record levels this year and how so many households and individuals are contacting them with serious money issues and huge pressures in paying for childcare, rent and mortgages. These are working people who were previously on adequate incomes and they now say the cash simply is no longer there to meet their basic needs. That is why the Labour Party has called for immediate measures to be adopted by the Government. That is why the kite flying in recent days has not been helpful. We need to see targeted measures now to support those on the lowest pay and the lowest incomes, with an immediate social welfare bonus this summer to help people struggling with the fear and anticipation of back-to-school costs and an immediate rise of €1 per hour in the minimum wage.
Comment on this
That is what is required. Ireland needs a pay rise and we need to see people having more cash in their pockets so they can meet the cost-of-living crisis.
Comment on this
On the pay front, discussions have taken place between the Government and the public service unions on public service pay. They have broken up for the time being, but the Government is open to re-engaging in the public service pay talks. Meanwhile, in the private sector there have been various agreements in different sectors between different companies and their employees in respect of pay.
The Government has taken substantial measures in respect of fuel, transport costs, healthcare costs and education costs. Our view is that the situation is serious; there is no doubt about that. The pressure on people is enormous.
We want to do a comprehensive package in the budget that will be sustainable right through the winter. Our objective is to get people through what will be a very difficult winter, both here and in Europe, as well as globally.