Sinn Féin spokesperson on Finance, Pearse Doherty TD, has announced his party will bring forward a motion in the Dáil next week calling for an emergency budget in response to the cost of living crisis.
Deputy Doherty is calling for urgent relief for workers and families such as a cost of living cash payment, rent cuts, reducing childcare costs by two thirds and cuts to the price of petrol and heating.
Speaking today, Teachta Doherty said that people are under real pressure to cover the price of basic essentials.
“The government has failed to act and deliver much-needed support to ensure that workers get a break. Their excuses are wearing thin and people need action now. Sinn Féin will bring forward a motion in the Dáil next week demanding that the government deliver an emergency budget immediately to address the cost of living crisis.”
The government is refusing to budge on bringing in measures before the October budget, but Deputy Doherty said that people cannot wait.
“People are at breaking point and they need help urgently now. The government cannot keep burying their heads in the sand on this issue. They need to wake up and realise the urgency of the cost of living crisis that people are facing everyday.
“Sinn Féin has brought forward detailed, costed and deliverable proposals to address the cost of living crisis. The government must deliver these policies.
“We must introduce a cost of living cash payment for people who need it. We have to cut rents and freeze them, including putting a month’s rent back into renters’ pockets with a refundable tax credit. We need to cut childcare costs by two thirds, as they are far too expensive for families. We must cut the price of petrol and heating, so that they are affordable. We must increase core social welfare rates to ensure the most vulnerable in society are protected from price rises.
“The government cannot keep ignoring this crisis and the huge pressures people are under. The time to act is now. I am urging all TDs to back Sinn Féin’s motion next week to introduce an emergency budget now.”
