The Taoiseach has reiterated that there will not be a dedicated cost of living package in the upcoming budget, but assured that the Government will aim to ease financial pressure on households, reports RTE.
Micheál Martin stated that the coalition will focus on supporting people through adjustments in social welfare payments and the tax system.
Sinn Féin Leader Mary Lou McDonald told the Dáil that workers are being squeezed by increasing costs across the board, reports RTE.
She said everything is rising except wages and called on the Government to roll out a cost of living package similar to those implemented in previous years.
“At the same time as you ruled out help for ordinary people, you had no problem whatsoever delivering big pay hikes for your raft of junior ministers,” she said, reports RTE.
The Taoiseach maintained that no other EU government had provided as many exceptional, once-off payments.
He said that over €7 billion had been allocated for temporary spending, along with €9.9 billion in permanent tax-related adjustments that will help households.
Mr Martin acknowledged that while inflation has slowed down considerably, the Government is still aware that overall price levels are high, reports RTE.
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