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>Tánaiste Simon Harris: 'Even if the conflict ended today, the damage is real, significant, and will have an impact.' File picture: Brian Lawless/PA</p>

politics

Simon Harris warns global energy crisis has reached ‘historic proportion’

Tánaiste among European finance ministers who gathered in Brussels on Friday for a Eurogroup meeting to discuss the impact of the war in Iran

spotlight

Dodgy boxes vs streaming costs: why Irish users risk piracy despite security warnings

<p>If military action ends soon, and energy markets return to their February pricing, consumer sentiment may move back quickly.</p>

economy

Irish consumers 'bracing themselves for a major hit to their spending power'

Alan Healy: Who really benefits from a cut in fuel excise duty?

S economy

Alan Healy: Who really benefits from a cut in fuel excise duty?

Woman using smartphone and credit card for online shopping on laptop

economy

One in three websites displayed incorrect discounts during Black Friday

Irish farmers warn of price war after Lidl cuts milk and butter prices amid rising costs

economy

Irish farmers warn of price war after Lidl cuts milk and butter prices amid rising costs

Domestic abuse

Women more likely to feel downhearted or depressed than men, new survey shows

CSO Survey on Income and Living Conditions found over 65s reported higher levels of satisfaction with their lives and financial situation than younger age groups

Wed, 25 Mar, 2026

Iran war to have greater impact on fuel prices than invasion of Ukraine, ESRI warns

Iran war to have greater impact on fuel prices than invasion of Ukraine, ESRI warns

The research institute has also warned against cutting indirect taxes such as excise duties, which disproportionately impact higher income households

Wed, 25 Mar, 2026

Irish Budget 2024

Minister defends reintroduction of State exam fees

State Examinations Commission has notified schools that families will once again be required to pay €116 per Leaving Certificate candidate and €109 per Junior Cycle candidate

Wed, 25 Mar, 2026

Motorists to see price cuts as fuel excise reductions come into force

Motorists to see price cuts as fuel excise reductions come into force

Dáil backs excise cuts to ease pressure on motorists, with opposition criticising measures as insufficient and delayed

Wed, 25 Mar, 2026

Detail of a fuel pump in a gas station

Paul Hosford: Unwinding fuel supports may prove difficult

The measures are forecast to cost the exchequer somewhere around €250m, but expire at the end of May

Tue, 24 Mar, 2026

Young woman refilling petrol in gas station

Government accused of doing 'bare minimum' in measures to address spiralling fuel prices

Opposition says Government has 'abandoned' households who rely on home heating oil

Tue, 24 Mar, 2026

Taoiseach calls for lower energy use as Government unveils €250m fuel cost measures

Taoiseach calls for lower energy use as Government unveils €250m fuel cost measures

Government unveils €250m support package while Taoiseach calls for reduced consumption and warns retailers on passing on cuts

Tue, 24 Mar, 2026

When will I see fuel price changes at the pumps?

When will I see fuel price changes at the pumps?

Prices at the pumps will be cut by between 15c and 20c until the end of May

Tue, 24 Mar, 2026

'Too expensive': Lapsed health insurance at highest rate for a decade

'Too expensive': Lapsed health insurance at highest rate for a decade

The average household cost for insurance is now over €2,500, up significantly from €2,185 in 2023

Tue, 24 Mar, 2026

Government leaders agree cuts of 15c on petrol and 20c on diesel

Government leaders agree cuts of 15c on petrol and 20c on diesel

The Government has stressed that any measures taken to address spiralling fuel prices will be 'time-bound'

Mon, 23 Mar, 2026

Hand refilling the car with fuel at the gasoline station

Excise duty and levy cuts set to be agreed on to help with fuel prices

Simon Harris said the war has already impacted Ireland's finances, adding that he expects the economy 'to continue to grow this year, albeit at a slower pace than previously envisaged'

Mon, 23 Mar, 2026

Fishing fleet could be grounded within weeks due to fuel costs

Fishing fleet could be grounded within weeks due to fuel costs

Fish shortages likely if Government fails to support industry, processors warn

Sun, 22 Mar, 2026

Fuel prices

Government finalising support package as Middle East crisis continues to send fuel prices soaring

Measures to include targeted supports for those most at risk of fuel poverty, and assistance for key sectors such as haulage

Sat, 21 Mar, 2026

Government to tackle fuel prices, help the vulnerable and hauliers next week, Tánaiste confirms

Government to tackle fuel prices, help the vulnerable and hauliers next week, Tánaiste confirms

However, Simon Harris has also warned that any measures announced on Tuesday could be for short periods of time

Fri, 20 Mar, 2026

Pumps at a petrol station, close up

Fuel costs may be reduced next week with hauliers set for talks on finer details

Representatives from the Irish Road Haulage Association are to meet with officials from the Department of Transport over the weekend to discuss the finer details of government support

Fri, 20 Mar, 2026

Hauliers to get fuel excise relief and diesel rebate boost under Government plans

Hauliers to get fuel excise relief and diesel rebate boost under Government plans

Fuel excise relief and enhanced diesel rebates form part of wider Government measures responding to rising energy costs

Thu, 19 Mar, 2026

Government plans 'appropriate intervention' on rising fuel prices

Government plans 'appropriate intervention' on rising fuel prices

'This Government understands the pressures families and businesses are under,' says Simon Harris

Wed, 18 Mar, 2026

Housing crisis deepens as Irish property prices surge and affordability concerns grow

Housing crisis deepens as Irish property prices surge and affordability concerns grow

New CSO figures show rising property prices nationwide, with supply shortages continuing to drive affordability challenges for buyers

Wed, 18 Mar, 2026

Irish Budget 2026

Government extended mortgage tax break against expert advice

Pre-budget submission warned continuing mortgage interest relief scheme could discourage banks from lowering interest rates and simply boost their profitability

Tue, 17 Mar, 2026

Taoiseach visit to US

Government nearing decision on cost-of-living measures 'within days'

Both Taoiseach and Tánaiste signal supports are coming following weeks of ministers mulling over any financial assistance in the wake of the Iran war

Mon, 16 Mar, 2026

Caitríona Redmond: Fancy eating well for less? There’s an app for that

Caitríona Redmond: Fancy eating well for less? There’s an app for that

The rising cost of fuel will impact grocery prices, but consumers can still bag restaurant-quality food on a tight budget

Mon, 16 Mar, 2026

US and Israeli attacks on Iran

Government rules out emergency mini budget as fuel and energy prices soar

Simon Harris said the Government is 'preparing a range of measures', adding that there will be a 'lot more clarity as to what may be required' by the end of the month

Sun, 15 Mar, 2026

Taoiseach visit to US

Taoiseach hints at excise cuts for fuel amid soaring cost of energy

Micheál Martin said the Government is planning to target any reliefs on energy to those 'most in need'

Sun, 15 Mar, 2026

Taoiseach visit to US

Taoiseach says any help on energy prices will target those 'most in need'

Micheál Martin has said the Government is keeping all options “under active review” to deal with the energy price surge

Sat, 14 Mar, 2026

Q&A: Should we expect Government support as oil prices continue to increase?

Q&A: Should we expect Government support as oil prices continue to increase?

A massive response to an economy-altering war is not a new thing for Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael to have to contend with

Tue, 10 Mar, 2026

Fishing industry seeks Government help as soaring fuel costs threaten Irish fleet

Fishing industry seeks Government help as soaring fuel costs threaten Irish fleet

Fishing industry groups warn rising fuel prices and Brexit quota cuts are threatening the viability of Ireland’s fleet

Tue, 10 Mar, 2026

27/5/2010. Government to sell VHI

Average health insurance premiums reach €1,902

The Health Insurance Authority also found that the number of people who have private health insurance has increased to 2.55 million

Tue, 10 Mar, 2026

Harris warns Europe must be ready to act as Middle East war drives oil price volatility

Harris warns Europe must be ready to act as Middle East war drives oil price volatility

Tánaiste says Ireland is closely monitoring fuel costs as Middle East conflict drives volatility in global oil markets

Tue, 10 Mar, 2026

Hauliers call off planned protest in Dublin on Tuesday

Hauliers call off planned protest in Dublin on Tuesday

The Irish Road Haulage Association confirmed it is suspending the protest, after discussions took place between the transport minister and the association's president

Mon, 09 Mar, 2026

Calculating energy efficiency and energy bill papers

Government not 'ruling anything in or out' around energy cost supports

Tánaiste Simon Harris said there would be 50,000 more households able to access the Fuel Allowance from this week

Mon, 09 Mar, 2026

Energy bills

Government rules out energy credits as Middle East war sparks potential cost-of-living crisis

Government sources dismiss the idea of cost-of-living aid for Irish consumers as US-Israel-Iran conflict expands across the Middle East

Mon, 09 Mar, 2026

Man filling oil tank with domestic heating kerosene. England, UK

Government 'must act now' on 'extortionate' price of home heating oil, Dáil told

Sinn Féin TD David Cullinane said the Government's response had been 'out of touch' as consumers had seen hundreds of euro added to the cost of heating their homes

Thu, 05 Mar, 2026

Accelerating Infrastructure launch

Chambers rules out energy credits and excise cuts amid fuel price surge

Minister rejects immediate fuel relief measures and warns retailers against opportunistic price increases amid global tensions

Wed, 04 Mar, 2026

Fuel prices

Taoiseach warns of ‘price gouging’ as home heating oil surges after Iran strikes

Government orders energy market review as heating oil prices spike sharply following US-Israeli strikes on Iran

Tue, 03 Mar, 2026

Weekly supermarket shopping

Caitríona Redmond: We’ve had enough jargon — why do we feel like we have less money?

The terms negative consumer sentiment, Vibecession, Boomcession, and K-Shaped Economy don’t quite describe that bad feeling when we struggle with the cost of grocery shopping. It’s time to debunk the jargon and start calling the high cost of living a saga.

Mon, 02 Mar, 2026

Irish Examiner view: Iran strikes could spark unintended consequences

Irish Examiner view: Iran strikes could spark unintended consequences

Already, Iran has retaliated with missile strikes in Kuwait, Saudi, Bahrain, Qatar, and the UAE, while also targeting the cities of Haifa and Beit Shemesh in Israel, among others

Mon, 02 Mar, 2026

Medical Insurance Concept With Family And Stethoscope On Wooden Desk

Irish Life and Level Health announce premium hikes amid rising costs

Irish Life Health and Level Health increase premiums, with further hikes expected across the market in 2026

Fri, 27 Feb, 2026

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

One in seven households in electricity arrears after Government energy credits withdrawn

New CRU data shows soaring electricity arrears after price hikes and the withdrawal of Government energy credits before Christmas

Thu, 26 Feb, 2026

Ireland stock

Government plans to speed up major infrastructure projects

Public expenditure minister Jack Chambers will tell Cabinet ministers on Tuesday that pre-planning processes are taking as long as four years to complete

Tue, 24 Feb, 2026

A man is holding a remote control of a smart TV in his hand. In the background you can see the television screen with streaming

Caitríona Redmond: Streaming services could cost you €129 per month — will prices ever drop?

Has the Irish fascination with streaming gone too far, and is it costing us needless euros every year that would be better spent elsewhere?

Mon, 23 Feb, 2026

Full shopping cart, customer is stocking vital needs because of global chaos. Shopping with blur supermarket store products, int

Households face gloomy 'vibecession' with food bills expected to remain high

David Looney, a financial advisory director at Alpha Wealth, said the inflation figures for January show that the rising cost of food remains 'stubbornly' high as consumers are feeling the pinch

Fri, 20 Feb, 2026

Shopper with shopping trolley filled with groceries at supermarket amid rising living costs and inflation in London England UK

Inflation steady at 2.7% as grocery and insurance costs continue to climb

Latest CSO data shows steady inflation, with sharp increases in groceries, education, rents and insurance costs

Thu, 19 Feb, 2026

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