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 couple walk their dog in front of protestors as they demonstrate in the city during a general strike on November 11, 2026 in Barcelona, Spain. Picture: David Ramos/Getty Images</p>

world

Millions join Spain’s first general strike in 14 years in protest at rising housing costs

The 24-hour stoppage has drawn high participation across sectors and comes weeks before election in which far right could gain power

<p>Deputy general secretary of SIPTU Adrian Kane, INMO general secretary Phil Ni Sheaghdha, Kevin Callinan Forsa's senior general secretary and Irish National Teachers' Organisation general secretary John Boyle join public sector workers, including nurses, doctors, teachers and civil servants, during a 24-hour strike over delays in agreeing a new public sector pay deal at Mater Hospital, Dublin. Picture: PA</p>

spotlight

Public sector pay deal: What the 10.75% increase means for 420,000 workers

<p>Last month, Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) announced toll increases across most of the country's roads from January. File picture</p>

politics

Transport minister defends toll price hikes

Independent retailers call for national freeze in commercial rates

economy

Independent retailers call for national freeze in commercial rates

Gareth O'Callaghan.png

Gareth O’Callaghan: The cost of living crisis has finally caught up with Donald Trump

Dispute between public sector unions and government could become 'serious war of attrition'

news

Dispute between public sector unions and government could become 'serious war of attrition'

My Job: Ireland’s hydrogen future may lie in an old Cork gas field

S My Job: Ireland’s hydrogen future may lie in an old Cork gas field

ESB's Paul Cullen on plotting Ireland's green hydrogen journey

Tue, 03 Nov, 2026

Irish EU Presidency

Public sector pay strike set to disrupt Dublin EU summit

European Union heads of state and government will meet on November 12 — but the Government faces embarrassment as 300,000 public sector workers are set to strike on the same day

Tue, 03 Nov, 2026

Hand holding medicine box in pharmacy drugstore.

Are you taking regular medicines? This advice could save you money

If you use the DPS scheme, you may be interested to hear that it allows for the dispensing of a 13th month of certain medicines in a year.

Mon, 02 Nov, 2026

Toll increases are 'tone deaf' amid pressure on haulage industry, IRHA warns

Toll increases are 'tone deaf' amid pressure on haulage industry, IRHA warns

The IRHA says rising transport costs will add to pressure on businesses and increase the price of everyday goods

Fri, 30 Oct, 2026

PORTUGAL-HOUSING-REAL STATE-PROTEST

Irish Examiner view: Gaza visa ruling the right decision

A person seeking an education should be entitled to a fair assessment

Thu, 29 Oct, 2026

Businessman Calculating Tax By Small And Big House Models

Consumers warned to check insurance policies amid 'perfect storm' of rising costs

Average premiums in the health insurance sector rose over 10% last year, while motor insurance premiums also increased by 4%

Mon, 26 Oct, 2026

FRANCE-SOCIAL-DEMO-RIOTS-UNREST-CLASHES

Riots in France may end like Paris '68 — and Marine Le Pen could be the biggest winner

Jean-Luc Mélenchon wants students and workers to unite on the streets. But the ultimate beneficiary of such agitation could be the French right wing, writes Emmanuelle Schon-Quinlivan

Wed, 21 Oct, 2026

Electric bill charges paper

Ireland the second most expensive country in the EU for consumers

Goods and services cost 36.2% more here than the bloc average

Tue, 20 Oct, 2026

Oireachtas staff strike

Formal talks on public sector pay dispute to begin at WRC on Monday

Formal talks will begin at Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) on Monday

Sat, 17 Oct, 2026

Limerick hospital staff say rising living costs make Government pay offer inadequate

Limerick hospital staff say rising living costs make Government pay offer inadequate

SIPTU, INMO and Fórsa representatives say inflation, commuting costs, high rents and staffing pressures are adding to workers’ financial strain.

Wed, 14 Oct, 2026

Industrial strike

Fórsa chief sees ‘pathway to talks’ if Government puts pay at centre of negotiations

Fórsa, the INMO and Siptu say the Government must offer a credible response to pay concerns to avert further industrial action

Wed, 14 Oct, 2026

As it happened: More than 300,000 public sector workers strike as union sees 'pathway to talks'

As it happened: More than 300,000 public sector workers strike as union sees 'pathway to talks'

Follow our live updates as a nationwide public service strike impacts schools, hospitals, local authorities and government services across Ireland

Wed, 14 Oct, 2026

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

From a cold shower to a cold bed: TD cites couple with no heating as they live on €8 a day

Sinn Féin TD Pearse Doherty told the Dáil he spoke to a couple who ran out of heating oil because they had 'just €8 a day to live on'

Tue, 13 Oct, 2026

'We’ve been pushed and shoved' into strike action, teachers say

'We’ve been pushed and shoved' into strike action, teachers say

'I’m hopeful that maybe the Government will come to their senses and will realise we mean business'

Tue, 13 Oct, 2026

Dublin city centre incident

Public sector strike: Unions’ confidence in industrial relations process ‘severely damaged’

Irish Congress of Trade Unions (Ictu) calls for Government to restore confidence in pay negotiation process

Tue, 13 Oct, 2026

Fast shopping

Caitríona Redmond: How I reduce my weekly grocery shop spend

With food prices rising, here are some practical tips on how to decide where to shop and what to buy

Mon, 12 Oct, 2026

Nurses rally in Dublin

A nationwide public sector strike begins on Wednesday — here's what you need to know

Unions estimate that there will be between 300,000 and 400,000 public servants on strike on Wednesday as part of a row with the government over pay negotiations amid the cost-of-living crisis

Mon, 12 Oct, 2026

Irish Cabinet meeting

Budget's €34m in student supports will make third level more affordable, says minister

The package includes a €150 reduction in the student contribution charge, bringing the annual fee down to €2,350

Listen | Thu, 08 Oct, 2026

Kerry 80-year-old: 'You get the pension on Friday and on Monday there isn’t too much of it left'

Kerry 80-year-old: 'You get the pension on Friday and on Monday there isn’t too much of it left'

Ahead of Budget 2027, Seán Ryan wanted a raise of at least €25 a week for pensioners. A €10 increase was announced

Tue, 06 Oct, 2026

Budget 2027: The main takeaways

Budget 2027: The main takeaways

Tax, housing, childcare, health, welfare and transport all feature in the Government's latest budget package. Here's a quick guide to the main announcements

Tue, 06 Oct, 2026

Budget 2027: Fuel protest leaders warn action ‘will go ahead’ over diesel and petrol costs

Budget 2027: Fuel protest leaders warn action ‘will go ahead’ over diesel and petrol costs

Fuel protest leaders say hauliers and agricultural contractors are facing mounting costs and are preparing for further action

Tue, 06 Oct, 2026

Budget 2027: €5k boost to new home grant — but first-time buyer stamp duty won't be scrapped

Budget 2027: €5k boost to new home grant — but first-time buyer stamp duty won't be scrapped

People buying second-hand properties will miss out after a proposal to scrap stamp duty was dumped at the last hour

Tue, 06 Oct, 2026

On a Strike sign in red and white poster

Irish Examiner view: Both sides must work to settle public pay dispute

Schools, colleges, and hospitals are among the workplaces to be hit by pickets and stoppages next week

Tue, 06 Oct, 2026

Thousands of teachers to begin first stage of work-to-rule campaign

Thousands of teachers to begin first stage of work-to-rule campaign

Teachers will join more than 100,000 public sector workers who began their work-to-rule last week, initiated after delays in agreeing a new public sector pay deal

Mon, 05 Oct, 2026

Cancer patients should not have to choose between heat and treatment

Cancer patients should not have to choose between heat and treatment

People going through cancer treatment should be able to focus on getting well rather than their finances or any delays to their treatment, writes Nikki Gallagher, CEO of the Irish Cancer Society

Mon, 05 Oct, 2026

Irish Budget 2027

Mick Clifford: Budget 2027 is showing who matters in Ireland — and who is being left with the crumbs

Mick Clifford contrasts proposed inheritance tax changes and fuel protest pressure with the threatened funding of a vital children’s programme

Sun, 04 Oct, 2026

The fuel protesters have the crowds. But do they have a political future?

Ireland’s fuel protest movement: Who are the three men behind the campaign?

James Geoghegan, John Dallon and Christopher Duffy say they want to channel public anger over fuel costs into political change

Sat, 03 Oct, 2026

Depressed crying little boy holding head in hands

Elaine Loughlin: Ireland has a cost-of-living crisis. But the gap between those living it is getting wider

As Budget 2027 approaches, stark differences in household spending raise questions about who really needs State support

Sat, 03 Oct, 2026

Budget 2027: Cost of living, housing and transport top Cork residents’ wish lists

Budget 2027: Cost of living, housing and transport top Cork residents’ wish lists

Cork residents highlighted housing, transport, education and living costs while identifying areas where they believe Government spending could be reduced

Fri, 02 Oct, 2026

People Before Profit alternative budget

Budget 2027: People Before Profit proposes ‘millionaires’ tax’ and €1.75 fuel price cap

The party’s alternative budget proposes higher taxes on wealth and corporations alongside major increases in welfare and public services

Fri, 02 Oct, 2026

'It is all going towards my rent': MTU students walk out on lectures in protest at cost of living

'It is all going towards my rent': MTU students walk out on lectures in protest at cost of living

'You’re looking at students spending anywhere from €14,000 a year to an excess of €16,000 a year to attend and survive in university'

Thu, 24 Sep, 2026

Irish Budget 2027

Budget 2027: Tánaiste says help is on the way for households facing higher energy bills

The Tánaiste outlined measures being considered as opposition parties called for further support for households facing rising energy costs

Thu, 24 Sep, 2026

Euro banknotes

Households face cost increases of up to €1,000 a year

While higher prices are expected every year, now people are facing into the prospect of rising costs from a place of avoidable disadvantage

Wed, 23 Sep, 2026

'We’ve had enough': MTU students to hold walkout over cost of living issues

'We’ve had enough': MTU students to hold walkout over cost of living issues

Among the issues highlighted will be the need for more affordable student accommodation.

Wed, 23 Sep, 2026

Budget 2027: Minister hoping to 'make significant inroads' on childcare costs

Budget 2027: Minister hoping to 'make significant inroads' on childcare costs

Small-sized childcare providers and childminders say they feel they are being squeezed out due to the policy being pursued by government

Wed, 23 Sep, 2026

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

Housing and cost of living top Irish voters’ concerns as immigration rises sharply, CSO finds

A new survey finds housing and living costs remain dominant concerns, while immigration has increased significantly since 2023

Wed, 23 Sep, 2026

A person calculating the cost of living with a phone calculator and a desk full of bills and till receipts.

Barnardos faces record backlog of families seeking help

The children's charity worked with more than 34,000 people last year, but says a growing number of vulnerable families are still waiting to access support

Wed, 23 Sep, 2026

Government urged to deliver cost-of-disability payment in budget

Government urged to deliver cost-of-disability payment in budget

Disability Federation of Ireland and other members of the Affordable Ireland campaign marched in Dublin on Saturday to highlight cost-of-living concerns

Mon, 21 Sep, 2026

Fianna Fail think in - Tullamore

Housing minister proposes €300 increase to rent tax credit

As Budget 2027 talks intensify, James Browne wants to see more renters draw down the tax credit

Mon, 21 Sep, 2026

Ireland has Europe's youngest population but some of the oldest nightlife laws in the world

Ireland has Europe's youngest population but some of the oldest nightlife laws in the world

Nightclubs have fallen sharply in number while operators face costly licences, outdated laws and challenges around transport and funding

Sat, 19 Sep, 2026

Alan Healy: When the economic numbers are this good, start asking questions

Alan Healy: When the economic numbers are this good, start asking questions

Headline figures remain strong, but housing costs, construction delays and multinational-driven exports reveal a growing gap between economic performance and lived experience.

Fri, 18 Sep, 2026

Medical Insurance Concept With Family And Stethoscope On Wooden Desk

Rural Ireland Thinks: Half of those surveyed had two-day wait to see GP

Also, 24% of respondents to the Ipsos/B&A poll for the 'Irish Examiner' have cancelled or reduced private health insurance

Fri, 18 Sep, 2026

Rural Ireland Thinks: Majority think Government has neglected rural pubs and way of life

Rural Ireland Thinks: Majority think Government has neglected rural pubs and way of life

The Vintner’s Federation said Ireland should look to EU compatriots like France, which offers grants of up to €80,000 to keep pubs, shops and cafés in the countryside

Wed, 16 Sep, 2026

National Ploughing Championships 2026

Home heating oil prices could be cut after Budget, Taoiseach indicates

Micheál Martin said the Government is examining measures to ease pressure on households facing high energy costs this winter

Tue, 15 Sep, 2026