#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>Staff and volunteers at Cork Penny Dinners, marking the charity’s first year in its James Street facility supporting families, the elderly and vulnerable members of the community throughout Cork. Picture: Michael O'Sullivan / OSM PHOTO</p>

munster

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'

<p>Pearse Doherty said the decision to restrict medications covered under the phased dispensing scheme operated by pharmacies is 'a disaster'. File photo: SAM BOAL/Collins Photos</p>

politics

Pearse Doherty tells Taoiseach: 'You can't stop yourself from making life harder for people'

<p>The Department of Higher Education and the Department of Housing are at odds over plans by the former to permit the resetting of rents for private student accommodation once every three years. Picture: iStock</p>

politics

'Student accommodation will be unaffordable' if plan to permit more rent hikes goes through

Close up spouses calculating family budget paying online using laptop

economy

Nearly 60% of workers feeling financial strain

Man opening curtains in room at sunrise, idyllic sunlight

people

Caitríona Redmond: Stay warm without burning money this winter

Fianna Fail Enterprise Roundtable

politics

Social welfare payments: Here's when people will receive the Christmas bonus

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

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

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

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

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