#Cost of living

Articles and features relating to the increasing cost of living in Ireland

A COMPREHENSIVE SERIES OF ARTICLES ON THIS TOPIC

MixCollage-17-Jan-2025-04-36-PM-3143
Caitríona Redmond: Streaming services could cost you €129 per month — will prices ever drop?
File Photo Minister for Health Leo Varadkar will launch the Public Health (Alcohol) Bill which sets out to reduce the damage tha
Government has no plans to raise minimum unit price for alcohol
Measure was first introduced in 2022 in a bid to reduce serious illness and death from alcohol consumption

Thu, 05 Feb, 2026

DISABILITY COALITION PROTEST
'Our messaging is fact': Disability groups hit back at minister over 'food or heating' claims
The social protection minister said: 'I do not want a misleading and dangerous message to go out that people must choose between food and heating.'

Mon, 02 Feb, 2026

Why are Easter eggs smaller and Mini Eggs more expensive? We compare our receipts
Why are Easter eggs smaller and Mini Eggs more expensive? We compare our receipts
As we head into peak chocolate season ahead of St Valentine’s Day and Easter, family favourites have dropped in quality — and value for money

Thu, 29 Jan, 2026

Irish Government formation
Heneghan votes against Government on €400 emergency payment for people with disabilities
Barry Heneghan, a Government-supporting independent TD, has voted against the Government and backed the motion by the Social Democrats

Wed, 28 Jan, 2026

'My gut feeling is we will see a death': Disability groups warn of severe cost of electricity
'My gut feeling is we will see a death': Disability groups warn of severe cost of electricity
'People are making choices. Will I power my mobility wheelchair, or will I get a full food shop in this week, or will I turn the heating on?'

Tue, 27 Jan, 2026

Jim Clarken: World's super rich are shaping society
Jim Clarken: World's super rich are shaping society
Wealth tax would help with social solidarity, guard against extremism, and shore up public finances

Fri, 23 Jan, 2026

Wholesale electricity prices down over 20% in December while food prices rise
Wholesale electricity prices down over 20% in December while food prices rise
However, food producer prices increased once again, particularly dairy prices

Thu, 22 Jan, 2026

'We're seeing people who never needed support before': Pre-Christmas calls to SVP hit record high
'We're seeing people who never needed support before': Pre-Christmas calls to SVP hit record high
Record demand for SVP support highlights growing pressure from rising energy, food and housing costs after removal of universal credits

Wed, 21 Jan, 2026

Caitríona Redmond: How to fill the ‘hungry gap’ with local food
Caitríona Redmond: How to fill the ‘hungry gap’ with local food
Climate positive dining means eating with the seasons and Irish produce has a lot to offer

Mon, 19 Jan, 2026

Woman taking out money from wallet
Irish billionaire earns average annual wage in just over seven hours, Oxfam finds
Oxfam warns extreme wealth concentration is fuelling inequality and undermining democracy, with Irish billionaires earning average wages in hours

Mon, 19 Jan, 2026

Benny McCabe: Hike in the price of a pint unfairly hits publicans and their customers 
Benny McCabe: Hike in the price of a pint unfairly hits publicans and their customers 
Cork publican Benny McCabe writes that traditional Irish pubs are the guardians of a tradition and they and their customers keep getting walloped while big suppliers enjoy a taxpayer-funded subsidy

Sun, 18 Jan, 2026

Cork pub trade adapts as Guinness prices rise and landmark bar sales continue
Cork pub trade adapts as Guinness prices rise and landmark bar sales continue
Guinness price hikes, major pub sales and shifting habits are forcing Cork publicans to rethink value, experience and survival.

Sat, 17 Jan, 2026

Food prices
Food, pints and insurance costs surge as inflation hits Irish households
New CSO figures show food, drink and insurance costs rising far faster than headline inflation, deepening pressure on households

Fri, 16 Jan, 2026

Emergency, service and people on computer with headset for security, dispatcher and operator. Telecommunication, surveillance an
Caitríona Redmond: What about the people on the receiving end of our complaints and queries?
Helpline and call centre staff are a bunch of hardworking people who often get abused by customers, writes Caitríona Redmond

Wed, 14 Jan, 2026

Couple discussing over medical bill while sitting on sofa
Inflation has hit Irish wallets — but wage rises help us stay ahead
The CSO's 'harmonised index of consumer prices' is a crucial measure of spending power 

Mon, 12 Jan, 2026

Big chunk of exchequer’s income could 'vanish' if handful of US companies change their tax profile
Big chunk of exchequer’s income could 'vanish' if handful of US companies change their tax profile
Economists warn that we are 'so plugged into the US economy' that a further shift in the volatile geopolitical scene could plunge Ireland into recession

Mon, 12 Jan, 2026

Irish budget 2014
Average weekly earnings top €1,000 for first time since 2008
However, while people are on average being paid more, they are also paying more for their basic goods, according to data from the CSO

Mon, 05 Jan, 2026

'Door firmly closed' on increased sick days for workers, despite previous commitment 
'Door firmly closed' on increased sick days for workers, despite previous commitment 
Enterprise minister Peter Burke said the Government had also changed the trajectory to a living wage from 2026 to 2029

Fri, 02 Jan, 2026

Winning an online bet on a football game
‘In a cost-of-living crisis, some turn to gambling to make ends meet’
Experts warn rising gambling spend, online advertising and new technologies risk deepening harm as regulation struggles to keep pace

Thu, 01 Jan, 2026

Irish Examiner view: Resolving to improve our outlook
Irish Examiner view: Resolving to improve our outlook
If we are to tackle the challenges which face us, we must do so with the right attitude and focus

Thu, 01 Jan, 2026

Gambling addicted man with glasses in front of online casino slot machine on laptop computer at night
Gambling spend spikes as cost-of-living crisis pushes some consumers to bet
Experts warn financial strain and relentless advertising are driving a surge in gambling, raising fresh concerns about addiction and regulation

Wed, 31 Dec, 2025

Minimum wage rise
These are the social welfare changes in effect from January 1
Minimum wage and welfare payments rise from today, while pensions, renters and retirement savings also see key Budget changes

Wed, 31 Dec, 2025

Here's how much your new year's resolution could save you
Here's how much your new year's resolution could save you
The Central Statistics Office has taken a look at the potential savings to be made from typical new year's resolutions

Tue, 30 Dec, 2025

Woman taking out money from wallet
Lack of cost-of-living supports negated Budget's welfare rises for lower-income households
The paper also discusses the Vat rate cut for sections of the hospitality sector, which is costing €681 million and is equivalent to 60% of the total cost of welfare measures enacted in the Budget

Thu, 18 Dec, 2025

cars in the parking lot
Irish Examiner view: EV target for 2030 a flight of fancy now
It is clear to pretty much everyone that our world is not yet ready for fully electric motoring

Wed, 17 Dec, 2025

Cost of living has forced people from 'all walks of life' through our doors, says Cork Penny Dinners
Cost of living has forced people from 'all walks of life' through our doors, says Cork Penny Dinners
'The numbers will grow until the cost of living comes down to an affordable living for everybody'

Mon, 15 Dec, 2025

Pearse Doherty tells Taoiseach: 'You can't stop yourself from making life harder for people'
Pearse Doherty tells Taoiseach: 'You can't stop yourself from making life harder for people'
Sinn Féin's finance spokesperson made the claim over changes made earlier this year to blister packs — the types of pre-formed plastic packaging used for some pharmaceuticals

Wed, 10 Dec, 2025

Students sitting in amphitheater
'Student accommodation will be unaffordable' if plan to permit more rent hikes goes through
UCC Students' Union says rent may deter people from third-level education and calls for more publicly-funded apartments 

Mon, 08 Dec, 2025

Close up spouses calculating family budget paying online using laptop
Nearly 60% of workers feeling financial strain
PwC’s latest Workforce Hopes and Fears Survey also found that AI use remains 'low'

Tue, 02 Dec, 2025

Man opening curtains in room at sunrise, idyllic sunlight
Caitríona Redmond: Stay warm without burning money this winter
It’s all about using as many tricks as possible to keep warm, despite the cold outside

Mon, 01 Dec, 2025

Fianna Fail Enterprise Roundtable
Social welfare payments: Here's when people will receive the Christmas bonus
Pensioners, carers and people with disabilities will be among those receiving the bonus on the same day they usually receive their weekly pension or other primary payment

Mon, 01 Dec, 2025

Person viewing a smart meter and making a hot drink, with a white kettle
Cost of living: Surge in people switching energy suppliers after price hikes
PrePayPower/Yuno and Electric Ireland were the big winners after Bord Gáis Energy, Flogas, SSE Airtricity, Pinergy, and Energia all announced price rises in the space of a few weeks

Mon, 01 Dec, 2025

Health insurance costs set to rise again as Irish Life warns of 5% increase
Health insurance costs set to rise again as Irish Life warns of 5% increase
Irish Life Health will increase premiums by an average of 5% from January 2026, adding to several rises already this year

Fri, 28 Nov, 2025

Crunching the household budget
Majority of households have less to spend during Christmas this year as financial worries mount 
Irish consumers plan to cut back on entertainment and spending on presents, survey finds

Fri, 28 Nov, 2025

Close Up Of Woman Sharing Cup Of Tea With Elderly Parent
Removing means test on carer's allowance could cost around €260m, independent body finds
The Parliamentary Budget Office's estimate is far less than the €600m a year touted by the Government, but 'significant uncertainty' remains over the number that would take it up

Wed, 26 Nov, 2025

Irish Black Friday spend expected to fall 14% since last year
Irish Black Friday spend expected to fall 14% since last year
PwC survey suggests the average Irish consumer expects to spend €283 during the 2025 Black Friday sales weekend

Mon, 24 Nov, 2025

Cabinet meeting
Government and Sinn Féin clash over energy credits as over 300,000 households behind on bills
Tánaiste Simon Harris said the fuel allowance is now worth over €1,000 per year for the fuel allowance period

Thu, 20 Nov, 2025

Cost-of-living crisis sees more middle-income families turning to charity
Cost-of-living crisis sees more middle-income families turning to charity
High food price inflation and increasing energy costs mean "it really could be anybody" seeking the support of the Society of St Vincent de Paul (SVP).

Tue, 18 Nov, 2025

SVP criticises Government's 'piecemeal' approach to battling poverty
SVP criticises Government's 'piecemeal' approach to battling poverty
The charity’s national president Teresa Ryan said it has seen calls rise 7% in the year to October

Mon, 17 Nov, 2025

A customer buys in a store.
Consumers facing an expensive Christmas as food and energy prices soar
CSO figures show inflation last month was at its highest level since March 2024

Thu, 13 Nov, 2025

Cork City Council increases budget for 2026 to €362.2m
Cork City Council increases budget for 2026 to €362.2m
Councillors also agreed a 5% increase in commercial rates — but will reintroduce rebates of up to 4% for qualifying ratepayers

Wed, 12 Nov, 2025

Caitríona Redmond: Free flights for my shopping points? I don’t believe it!
Caitríona Redmond: Free flights for my shopping points? I don’t believe it!
Does every little really help? Not always

Mon, 10 Nov, 2025

Shopper with shopping cart on Christmas sale in shop
Shoppers warned away from 'buy now, pay later' services ahead of Christmas
Savings are usually the most cost-effective way to finance Christmas spending, says price comparison website Bonkers.ie

Mon, 10 Nov, 2025

The tracker mortgage scandal: Banks almost destroyed my family
The tracker mortgage scandal: Banks almost destroyed my family
The Redmonds went through seven separate procedures with the bank, which involved every penny they spent being scrutinised

 Listen | Fri, 07 Nov, 2025

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Mick Clifford
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