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>Minimum unit pricing has been criticised for penalising customers in Ireland. </p>

politics

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

<p>A demonstration outside Leinster House in December by the Disability Coalition warning of the 'heating vs. eating' crisis where it was highlighted that Budget 26 left disabled people €1400 worse off. File photo: Gareth Chaney</p>

politics

'Our messaging is fact': Disability groups hit back at minister over 'food or heating' claims

<p>Buying a kilo of Cadbury Mini Eggs will cost you €20 this year. And the sized of Easter Eggs has dropped by 24.2g on average over the last seven years</p>

people

Why are Easter eggs smaller and Mini Eggs more expensive? We compare our receipts

Irish Government formation

politics

Heneghan votes against Government on €400 emergency payment for people with disabilities

'My gut feeling is we will see a death': Disability groups warn of severe cost of electricity

news

'My gut feeling is we will see a death': Disability groups warn of severe cost of electricity

Jim Clarken: World's super rich are shaping society

comment-analysis

Jim Clarken: World's super rich are shaping society

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

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

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