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>Economist Austin Hughes said the consumer sentiment survey still points to a 'nervous Irish consumer who sees Irish economic conditions and their own household finances now set on a weakening path'. </p>

companies

Consumer sentiment recovers slightly in May as energy cost concerns ease

Economist Austin Hughes said the improvement in consumer sentiment in May could reflect two different developments — a ceasefire in the Middle East and the Irish Government introducing supports in response to the global energy crisis

<p>The Daft.ie report suggests that landlords have been delaying putting properties on the market to take advantage of the new system. Picture: iStock</p>

news

Rents rose a record 4.4% after Government reforms came into force, new report shows

<p>While a recent poll says Fianna Fáil's Cillian Keane has just 8% support in Galway West, he is mindful that the same pollsters gave John Connolly a 7% rating before the general election and he won a seat. Picture: Facebook</p>

comment-analysis

Galway West: Fianna Fáil's young Cillian Keane wooing voters for transfers

Homeless figures

politics

Renters face return to parents' box room due to eviction threat - SF claims

Irish Cabinet meeting

news

Student fees will only go down under Government, says minister

Fianna Fail Ard Fheis

politics

Taoiseach promises family-focused Budget amid concerns over Iran conflict and oil prices

Iran War Strait of Hormuz

Government must 'stop people freezing to death' in winter if Iran war continues, groups warn

Also, public expenditure minister Jack Chambers received Cabinet approval to introduce stricter spending controls to tackle department overruns

Tue, 12 May, 2026

Irish pubs are dying: VFI chief calls for emergency government action

Irish pubs are dying: VFI chief calls for emergency government action

'A pub is more than just a business. It performs a vitally important public function as a hub of social and cultural life'

Tue, 12 May, 2026

Cost of electricity: halogen bulb and twenty Euro notes

Energy suppliers not making 'excessive' profits from soaring gas and electricity prices, watchdog says

CRU report also suggests the average household could save €395 for electricity and €184 for gas a year by switching their tariffs

Mon, 11 May, 2026

Taoiseach Micheal Martin visit to Belfast

Ireland's new savings scheme will be capped to prevent 'uber wealthy' from exploiting it

Tánaiste said other countries have introduced caps on the amount of money that can be invested

Thu, 07 May, 2026

Nodding donkey in the desert, Kingdom of Bahrain

National Oil Reserve Agency boss: Middle East conflict has caused 'absolute uncertainty'

NORA generally holds 90 days’ worth of oil reserves – the release of those barrels would reduce that reserve to roughly 80 days

Thu, 07 May, 2026

Iran War Strait of Hormuz

Iranian-flagged oil tanker fired on by US fighter as Trump gives Tehran new ultimatum

The US military fired on an Iranian-flagged oil tanker on Wednesday, shortly after Donald Trump issued a fresh ultimatum to Tehran, telling it to accept a deal to end the war or face a new wave of US bombing “at a much higher level and intensity ...

Wed, 06 May, 2026

Richmond Village housing development

Taoiseach accused of 'gutless' response to rising energy prices

Micheál Martin defended the Government's record on the cost of living during Leaders' Questions in the Dáil

Wed, 06 May, 2026

evening traffic at airport

Two million airline seats cut amid soaring jet fuel prices

Rescheduling in May could be followed by summer cancellations as Middle East war continues to disrupt fuel supplies

Wed, 06 May, 2026

Meet the Irish electrician turning rubbish into renewable energy devices

Meet the Irish electrician turning rubbish into renewable energy devices

Former electrician Barra Mulligan has spent 20 years transforming everyday scrap into homemade wind and river turbines, writes Sarah Horgan

Sun, 03 May, 2026

By-election candidates accuse Government of 'gaslighting' the public in fiery debate

By-election candidates accuse Government of 'gaslighting' the public in fiery debate

The fiery debate featured Janice Boylan of Sinn Féin, Social Democrat Daniel Ennis, Fine Gael’s Ray McAdam, and Ruth O’Dea of the Labour Party

Sun, 03 May, 2026

National Fuel Protest

Further fuel protests will take place before October's budget, spokesmen say

James Geoghegan and John Dallon were the main spokespeople for fuel protests that blocked off O’Connell Street in Dublin for days last month

Sat, 02 May, 2026

Save Energy, Reducing Electricity Use

Prepay Power hikes bills as over one million households warned of rising energy costs

Energy supplier announces price increases citing rising wholesale costs, with further hikes expected across the market in coming weeks

Fri, 01 May, 2026

Energy costs

One in seven households struggle with energy bills as ESRI urges targeted supports

Study finds widespread energy affordability challenges and suggests targeted supports could reduce costs while better helping vulnerable households

Thu, 30 Apr, 2026

Spotify hikes prices again — but subscriber numbers and revenue keep climbing

Streaming giant increases subscription costs in key markets while continuing to expand its global user base and revenues

Wed, 29 Apr, 2026

IRISH US

Bacik: Incoherent, whack-a-mole Government approach to cost-of-living

The Labour leader said the Government should stop refusing to hold a mini budget, saying it has essentially unveiled similar in multiple parts

Tue, 28 Apr, 2026

Fuel blockaders 'squeezed €500m from the public purse just like burger barons', says union leader

Fuel blockaders 'squeezed €500m from the public purse just like burger barons', says union leader

Owen Reidy said if the Government can find €1.25bn for those groups, it can afford a cost-of-living package for workers

Mon, 27 Apr, 2026

EPH Controls: From wheelbarrow beginnings to a new €15m HQ by Cork's Kinsale Road

EPH Controls: From wheelbarrow beginnings to a new €15m HQ by Cork's Kinsale Road

Cork company EPH is now the market leader in the Irish heating controls industry

Mon, 27 Apr, 2026

Israel-Hamas conflict

'People cannot wait': Sinn Féin calls for 'emergency budget' immediately

The Sinn Féin Ard Fheis started in Belfast on Friday evening and will continue throughout Saturday

Fri, 24 Apr, 2026

Irish Cabinet meeting

Taoiseach discounts mini budget talk saying 'bulk' of surplus has already been allocated

The Taoiseach also said he does not 'anticipate' there being a 'budget before the budget' on October 6

Fri, 24 Apr, 2026

Heathrow Stock

Holiday plans at risk? What Irish travellers need to know about flight disruption

Airlines are cutting schedules as fuel costs rise, leaving Irish travellers weighing disruption risks and consumer rights this summer

Fri, 24 Apr, 2026

Peter Aiken: Shows will be 'cancelled left right and centre' due to oil prices increasing

Peter Aiken: Shows will be 'cancelled left right and centre' due to oil prices increasing

Speaking ahead of a summer of major gigs in Cork, the music promoter also criticised the delays around an event centre being built

Thu, 23 Apr, 2026

Spring Economic Statement

Harris rules out mini budget but leaves door open to energy credits this winter

Government resists calls for fresh cost-of-living measures now but signals targeted supports could return later this year

Thu, 23 Apr, 2026

Garda gear up to prosecute 'cowards' who made threats during fuel protests

Garda gear up to prosecute 'cowards' who made threats during fuel protests

"Anonymous cowards" who threatened gardaí during the fuel protests may soon be prosecuted, with incident rooms now set up across the country to investigate threats made during the fuel protests.

Tue, 21 Apr, 2026

Spring Economic Statement

No recession forecast for Ireland but Budget 2027 will require tough trade-offs, ministers warn

Government forecasts continued economic growth despite global risks, but warns Budget 2027 will require spending restraint and difficult fiscal choices

Tue, 21 Apr, 2026

Harris insists he still wants beneficial tax changes in next budget

Harris insists he still wants beneficial tax changes in next budget

The Spring Economic Forecast will be discussed at Cabinet on Tuesday and will outline the parameters of Budget 2027, which will be announced on October 6

Mon, 20 Apr, 2026

Energy bills

Household electricity prices could rise by up to 9% by summer, minister warns

The Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) said the volatility of market gas prices is likely to continue, making it 'impossible to predict how the retail market will react'

Sun, 19 Apr, 2026

National Fuel Protest

Are disruptive protests the new political force in Ireland? Fuel blockades expose state vulnerabilities

Fuel blockades reveal a shift towards disruptive, decentralised protest tactics that challenge traditional politics and force faster government engagement

Sat, 18 Apr, 2026

Middle East conflict

Government ‘acutely aware’ of pain and fear caused by rising fuel prices

Fianna Fáil and the coalition government are “acutely aware” of the “real pain and fear” caused by , the Taoiseach has said.

Sat, 18 Apr, 2026

From defiance to departure: 45 hours that changed everything for Michael Healy-Rae

From defiance to departure: 45 hours that changed everything for Michael Healy-Rae

A sudden reversal, internal pressure and local politics combined to trigger a dramatic exit that caught Government off guard

Sat, 18 Apr, 2026

Middle East conflict

Cost-of-living protests reveal growing anger at Government and a vacuum in Irish politics

Fuel protests have exposed a growing disconnect in Irish politics, leaving parties scrambling to reconnect with disaffected voters

Sat, 18 Apr, 2026

National Fuel Protest

Gareth O'Callaghan: The voices you didn’t hear during the protests are the ones that matter most

Personal stories reveal the emotional and financial toll of illness, inequality and rising costs beyond headline-grabbing protests

Sat, 18 Apr, 2026

Dublin city centre incident

Industrial action 'inevitable' without meaningful talks on pay, Government warned

Government must meet unions 'halfway' on supports for PAYE workers

Fri, 17 Apr, 2026

Leaders' Questions

Simon Harris admits Ireland is relying on 'dirty fossil fuels'

Tánaiste confirmed that public expenditure minister will engage with the opposition on concerns that the Critical Infrastructure Bill will limit people’s ability to object to projects on environmental grounds

Thu, 16 Apr, 2026

Trump

War with Iran is 'close to over', Trump claims

U. S. President Donald Trump has said the war he launched with Israel on Iran is close to over, as the army chief of mediator Pakistan arrived in Tehran to try to prevent a renewal of the conflict.

Wed, 15 Apr, 2026

Fianna Fáil TDs criticise Government saying social contract ‘strained to breaking point’

Fianna Fáil TDs criticise Government saying social contract ‘strained to breaking point’

Three Fianna Fáil TDs warn of growing disconnect between voters and politics, urging renewed focus on delivering tangible results

Wed, 15 Apr, 2026

Taoiseach: Opposition leaders 'lacked courage' during fuel protests

Taoiseach: Opposition leaders 'lacked courage' during fuel protests

Opposition leaders fired back that Micheál Martin had little empathy

Wed, 15 Apr, 2026

Cork councillor calls for Government to start oil refining at Whiddy in Bantry Bay

Cork councillor calls for Government to start oil refining at Whiddy in Bantry Bay

Call for refining to be developed at the Whiddy terminal

Wed, 15 Apr, 2026

Government to consider filling Healy-Rae role in coming days, says Norma Foley

Government to consider filling Healy-Rae role in coming days, says Norma Foley

Norma Foley said the Government would consider what to do with the vacant post

Wed, 15 Apr, 2026

Iran US Oil Prices

What will be the impact on oil flows of the US blockade of the Strait of Hormuz?

The US military began blocking shipping traffic in and out of Iran's ports, a move that would prevent roughly two million barrels of Iranian oil a day from entering the world's markets, further ‌tightening global supply.

Tue, 14 Apr, 2026

Electric bill charges paper

Irish households had highest electricity prices in Europe in 2024, new study finds

Energy credits did not bring Ireland back to EU average, ESRI research found

Tue, 14 Apr, 2026

Paschal Donohoe resignation

Confidence vote in government ‘big test’ for independents — People Before Profit

Sinn Féin are tabling the motion of no confidence in the Government on Tuesday

Mon, 13 Apr, 2026

National Fuel Protest

LIVE: Supply chains to take days to recover from fuel protests; Commissioner ‘absolutely appalled’ by threats to gardaí

Commissioner praises Garda response to protests while warning intimidation and threats against officers will not be tolerated

Mon, 13 Apr, 2026

Person putting jeans into the drum of a washing machine, front view. Washing dirty jeans in the washer

Caitríona Redmond: Who knew replacing a washing machine was so complicated?

When a washing machine breaks, there are now two replacement options: an inverter or a brush

Mon, 13 Apr, 2026

Royal High School

Leaving and Junior Cert practicals deferred due to fuel protests

Students set to sit their Leaving Cert music or Junior Cert home economics practicals on April 13 have been informed that those exams have been deferred

Sun, 12 Apr, 2026