The cost of living is pushing households to breaking point. People struggle to put food on the table, to put fuel in their cars and to put a secure roof over their heads. A report published by EUROSTAT today shows that Ireland had the highest prices for consumer goods and services in the European Union last year. Meanwhile, we see the biggest squeeze on incomes in a generation. Speaking on the radio this morning, the Tánaiste, Deputy Varadkar, reiterated that the Government has no plans to intervene before the budget unless things get worse. The Minister knows that people cannot afford the basics. He knows that, for many households, it would be a crisis if a child were to need a new pair of shoes. Families across the State are increasingly relying on food banks. Just how bad do things have to get before the Minister's Government acts?

Let us be very clear. As the Deputy knows, Government is acutely aware of the pressures families and our people are under. Inflation is not just an issue in this country, but worldwide. It has been brought about by the war in Ukraine and issues with regard to supply chains, food and energy in particular. We have already introduced approximately €2.4 billion worth of measures to try to soften that blow.

We will not be able to remove the effects of inflation completely. The Taoiseach and Tánaiste have been very clear that we will be doing more but we need to do it in a focused, targeted and strategic way. One of the best ways to do that is to take a whole-of-government approach at the budget this year. The measures we have already introduced are really significant and are significantly more than our nearest neighbours. We are aware of the pressures families are under and we will be introducing more measures, particularly at budget time.