#Cost of living

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#Cost of living

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

A COMPREHENSIVE SERIES OF ARTICLES ON THIS TOPIC

<p>A key policy aim of the new Government, which many parties campaigned on during the election, has been the abolition of the means test for the carer’s allowance. </p>

news

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

<p>John O’Loughlin of PwC Ireland said while 64% of respondents to the survey said they favour shopping online, a strong 36% prefer in-store shopping. Stock picture: Denis Minihane </p>

companies

Irish Black Friday spend expected to fall 14% since last year

<p>Tanaiste Simon Harris said: 'Sinn Féin does not think it is enough for somebody in County Louth to have €1,000 in fuel allowance but thinks someone up the road in Armagh should get by on just £100.' Picture: Brian Lawless/PA</p>

news

Government and Sinn Féin clash over energy credits as over 300,000 households behind on bills

Cost-of-living crisis sees more middle-income families turning to charity

news

Cost-of-living crisis sees more middle-income families turning to charity

SVP criticises Government's 'piecemeal' approach to battling poverty

news

SVP criticises Government's 'piecemeal' approach to battling poverty

A customer buys in a store.

news

Consumers facing an expensive Christmas as food and energy prices soar

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

Cost of living crisis

Five Cork schools illegally seeking fees from parents

One school described the fee as a 'non-refundable' registration fee, while another described it as a 'voluntary registration fee'

Thu, 06 Nov, 2025

Election 2025 NYC Mayor

Marion McKeone: Zohran Mamdani win rings starting bell for Donald Trump vs New York fight

Billionaire-backed Andrew Cuomo was swept away by ordinary New Yorkers galvanised by a cheery 34-year-old who kept his campaign focused on the cost of living

Wed, 05 Nov, 2025

A pensioner adjusting the temperature control on his combi boiler. Redcar, UK. 26/5/2021. Photograph: Stuart Boulton.

Irish households owe €177m in domestic energy debt

Energy minister Darragh O'Brien said that more targeted measures are needed to protect households, adding that energy credits were not sustainable

Tue, 04 Nov, 2025

Colin Sheridan: Ireland is moving so fast, it's forgotten its people

Colin Sheridan: Ireland is moving so fast, it's forgotten its people

We are a rich country masquerading as a poor one, run by people terrified of annoying people even richer

Sat, 01 Nov, 2025

Farmer pouring raw milk into container

Wholesale food prices up by 4.5% in September

Prices for food, beverage, and tobacco products have increased by 3.5%, according to the CSO

Wed, 22 Oct, 2025

Mid adult woman in supermarket holding milk

Five myths about the milk 'price war' going on in Ireland's supermarkets

This price war has nothing to do with helping consumers make ends meet, but about deflecting attention away from supermarkets. Every time there’s a focus on grocery prices being in 'rip-off' territory, there’s a pretend price war, writes Eoin McGettigan

Fri, 17 Oct, 2025

Sad boy standing alone in the hallway

Budget 2026 cuts income of Ireland's poorest households by over 4%, says report

There were no major tax cuts for workers and the one-off cost-of-living supports from previous budgets have been phased out

Wed, 08 Oct, 2025

Electric vehicles survey

EV switch ‘biggest step’ most drivers can take to hit climate goals, committee hears

Experts told an Oireachtas committee that while public transport remains vital, EV adoption is crucial for meeting Ireland’s 2030 emissions targets

Wed, 08 Oct, 2025

Budget 2026: Childcare cost ‘is basically a second mortgage’

Budget 2026: Childcare cost ‘is basically a second mortgage’

Two mothers trying to balance their household budgets highlight two big challenges — the cost-of-living crisis and eye-watering childcare costs

Wed, 08 Oct, 2025

Budget 2026: 'I can’t fathom the amount we're spending on essentials'

Budget 2026: 'I can’t fathom the amount we're spending on essentials'

Despite living in a solar-powered home, a Killarney couple say soaring energy and grocery bills are pushing them to the limit

Wed, 08 Oct, 2025

Shoppers at supermarket Sainsbury's for their weekly shopping when special prices are on offer, dealing with the cost of living

Caitríona Redmond: Families go backwards as Paschal Donohoe peels an orange in his pocket

Soaring energy prices and food shrinkflation are battering even the most frugal of families — and Budget 2026 has done nothing for them

Tue, 07 Oct, 2025

Mick Clifford: Some sections of society left shortchanged by 'Big Mac budget'

Mick Clifford: Some sections of society left shortchanged by 'Big Mac budget'

This was a budget more focused on business, and the need to ensure that the economy is equipped for any approaching storm rather than alleviating the worst ravages of poverty, writes Mick Clifford

Tue, 07 Oct, 2025

Budget 2026: 'I just want the Government to do better for people with disabilities'

Budget 2026: 'I just want the Government to do better for people with disabilities'

People with intellectual disabilities feel they are very low on the Government's list of priorities

Tue, 07 Oct, 2025

Wage slips, wages pay payslips wageslips

No boost to take-home pay as tax bands frozen in Budget 2026, says Donohoe

Finance minister Paschal Donohoe confirms income tax bands will remain unchanged as budget negotiations drag on amid economic caution

Sat, 04 Oct, 2025

The Deirdre O’Shaughnessy Podcast: What is frugaltok, and should you try it?

The Deirdre O’Shaughnessy Podcast: What is frugaltok, and should you try it?

While you may have learned some cost-saving tricks from a frugal granny, Gen Z learn these things online, so every penny-pinching trick conceivable is now part of a TikTok trend called frugaltok

Listen | Fri, 03 Oct, 2025

Wage slips, wages pay payslips wageslips

Group recommends another increase in living wage ahead of Budget 2026

Over the past year, the Living Wage Technical Group says minimum living costs increased by 5.8% for a working-age single adult, with rents accounting for two-thirds of the rise

Wed, 01 Oct, 2025

Image of modern fireplace, woodburning stove, coal buckets, log basket

Indoor wood burners cause damage 'in a similar way to cigarette smoke'

Study links the growing popularity of domestic wood burning to lung damage

Tue, 30 Sep, 2025

What Ursula von der Leyen’s EU energy plans mean for Ireland’s soaring household bills

What Ursula von der Leyen’s EU energy plans mean for Ireland’s soaring household bills

As energy bills rise again, EU leaders push sweeping reforms — but Ireland faces warnings it is lagging behind targets

Sat, 27 Sep, 2025

Person eating fish and polenta at restaurant

Just 10% of consumers see a hospitality Vat cut as a budget priority

Healthcare, housing, and cost of living among top priorities of Irish households, survey shows

Fri, 26 Sep, 2025

Worried man checking bills and looking at financial analysis of expenses at home.

One-off payments failed to tackle poverty — what will work is to index social welfare rates to average wages

Benchmarking social welfare rates to average earnings would help to mitigate the impact of rising costs, give long-term certainty to households on fixed incomes, and prevent widening income inequality

Wed, 24 Sep, 2025

Woman shopping at a grocery store and checking her receipt

Grocery price inflation increases again, putting further pressure on households

Significant price rises in weeks leading up to September 7 came amid increased household spending as schools started after summer break, new data shows

Mon, 22 Sep, 2025

Adam Maguire: Irish Bailout Babies still paying the price of the financial crash

Adam Maguire: Irish Bailout Babies still paying the price of the financial crash

People who were children during the 2008 crash and subsequent bailout are struggling on inadequate pay and living in insecure rentals with little hope of starting a family, writes Adam Maguire

Mon, 22 Sep, 2025

Young woman 20s attempting to read and understand her electricity meter reading and energy bill

Budget 2026: 9% Vat rate on gas and electricity should remain – Jack Chambers

Public expenditure minister said the 9% rate should be retained to prevent further price hikes for consumers

Sun, 21 Sep, 2025

Electric bill charges paper

SSE Airtricity to hike electricity prices with average of €151 added to annual bills

SSE Airtricity said that its unit rates for electricity and its standing charges will increase by 9.5% from October 20

Fri, 19 Sep, 2025

Irish Economy As Latest Retail Figures Released

Business groups warn minimum wage hike will mean many retail staff 'will not have jobs'

Chief executive of Retail Excellence Ireland Jean McCabe said the Government must share the financial burden with tax relief

Fri, 19 Sep, 2025

Leinster House media briefings

Proposed minimum wage rise which retailers claim would 'decimate' them is 'stingy', says TD

The 5% increase, as recommended by the Low Pay Commission, would bring the minimum wage to €14.15 an hour

Fri, 19 Sep, 2025

Nursing Home stock

Irish Examiner view: With no plan, catastrophe looms large for elderly

That the ESRI highlighted a potential future calamity in terms of our ability to effectively manage and care for our increasingly ageing population, should set alarm bells ringing

Fri, 19 Sep, 2025

Taoiseach accepts need to 'rein in spending' following Central Bank's warning

Taoiseach accepts need to 'rein in spending' following Central Bank's warning

Micheál Martin added that the impression that opposition politicians give is that the Government is 'spending very little' in the upcoming budget

Thu, 18 Sep, 2025

A pensioner adjusting the temperature control on his combi boiler. Redcar, UK. 26/5/2021. Photograph: Stuart Boulton.

Government urged to reverse 'terrible decision' to withdraw energy credits in budget

In response, Simon Harris said Sinn Féin had had a 'bonkers idea' to keep energy prices down by 'giving taxpayers' money to energy companies'

Thu, 18 Sep, 2025

Month revenue of young couple

Overheating the economy could 'hamper delivery of National Development Plan and housing targets'

ESRI to warn TDs about winding down cost-of-living measures

Wed, 17 Sep, 2025

Action Plan on Competitiveness and Productivity

The five major issues facing the Government as it returns from summer holidays

As well as next month's Budget, the Government will have the housing crisis and the presidential election to contend with

Wed, 17 Sep, 2025

Grocery inflation

Wealth tax would allow for a cost-of-living package in next month's budget

Irrespective of how it would be funded, a significant Budget 2026 cost-of-living package needs to happen to help hard-pressed consumers facing soaring prices

Wed, 17 Sep, 2025

An old miniature man and woman standing on a pile of coins.

Ireland can lead EU on equality — but first we must get our own legislation in order

Ireland's EU presidency will be a chance to show leadership in terms of tolerance and fairness, writes Liam Herrick

Mon, 15 Sep, 2025

Electric bill charges paper

Customers face massive spike in bills as Bord Gáis and Pinergy hike electricity prices

Public facing further €200 being added to energy bills with numbers in arrears already at a 'historical' high

Fri, 12 Sep, 2025

Construction of new homes at Ebbsfleet Garden City in Kent.

Ciarán Casey: Lack of vision has wasted Ireland's unplanned tax windfall

The pageantry of Budget Day means that politicians will aim to avoid landmines, then go back to business as usual, writes Ciarán Casey

Fri, 12 Sep, 2025

Mother and son looking out of window

Systemic barriers are keeping families in poverty, summit hears

Group representing single-parent families tells Child Poverty and Well-being Summit we need the political will to address child poverty and deprivation

Thu, 11 Sep, 2025

Food prices

Food inflation at highest level in two years, CSO reveals

The CSO said consumer prices rose by 2% in the year to August, compared to an annual reading of 1.7% a month earlier

Thu, 11 Sep, 2025

RTB warns of ‘significant concern’ as average rents for new tenancies up 5.5%

RTB warns of ‘significant concern’ as average rents for new tenancies up 5.5%

RTB warns of significant rent hikes outside Dublin, as terminations rise and corporate landlords expand their share of the market

Thu, 11 Sep, 2025

Calculating energy efficiency and energy bill papers

Electric Ireland to cut gas prices by 4%, holding electricity prices steady for winter

Electric Ireland says its fourth gas price cut since 2023 will save households €57, while electricity prices remain unchanged

Wed, 10 Sep, 2025

travel background

As three in five under-25s consider leaving the country, we must act to help young people

Young people's needs are continually neglected even though they are disproportionately impacted by the housing crisis, writes Kathryn Walsh

Wed, 10 Sep, 2025