Donegal TD Pearse Doherty has hit out at the government for not introducing an emergency budget in response to the cost of living crisis.
The Sinn Féin spokesperson on Finance said that the government’s refusal to act is “inexcusable”.
Deputy Doherty has today repeated his call for the government to bring in new measures before the October Budget.
Speaking today, the Donegal TD said: “Workers and families are continuing to struggle with a deepening cost of living crisis as the price of energy, food and other essentials continues to rise.
“For months, Sinn Féin have called on the government to introduce an Emergency Budget to protect households.
“Only last week, the Taoiseach again refused to rule out cost of living measures before October.
“This is as inflation reached over 7 percent last month and will climb even higher in the time ahead.
“That even the Tories in Britain have now responded to high inflation with greater urgency than this government is testament to how out of touch they are with the difficulties people are facing.
“We recognise that not everyone can be fully protected by every price increase – but the government can and must do more.”
Sinn Féin is calling for an Emergency Budget that provides urgent and targeted measures to support those worst hit by the crisis. The proposed measures, according to Deputy Doherty, would support people “by reducing the cost of home heating oil, not increasing it.”
“By increasing social welfare rates, which the government have disgracefully allowed to fall far behind the rate of rising prices.
“By introducing cost-of-living cash payments to lower and middle-income households.
“By reducing childcare costs and helping struggling renters with a refundable tax credit and a ban on rent increases.
He added: “This government are failing to respond, and workers and families are paying the price.”
