#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

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<span data-contrast="none" lang="EN-GB" xml:lang="EN-GB">The study shows that the most deprived households in Ireland — and particularly those with children — would 'especially benefit from assistance beyond recent temporary measures'.</span>
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news

Low-income earners forced into financially risky behaviours during cost of living crisis

Families which reported the highest levels of difficulty in accessing supports tended to be those on the lowest incomes considered, and those who regularly struggled to afford life essentials

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<span lang="EN-US">The Vat rate on electricity and gas was initially cut by the previous government in 2022 as part of a cost of living package, but has remained in place since. File Picture</span>: Stuart Boulton/Stock</p>

politics

Cuts to Vat rate on electricity and gas to be extended for six months

<p> Rosemary Daly of the Chocolate Shop in the English Market. Pictures: Larry Cummins</p>

economy

'Wholesalers are demanding pre-payment': Cork chocolatier warns of expensive Easter eggs

Ballymore Eustace Water Treatment Plant

ourview

Irish Examiner view: Tough choices on vital services as families forced to foot the bill

Woman paying with a credit card at the supermarket

spotlight

Grocery prices soar: Is it still cheaper to shop in Northern Ireland?

Housing Construction - Stock

news

Migrants more likely to work but face higher poverty rates, ESRI study finds

Man using calculator and calculate bills in home office.

Consumer sentiment falls to nine-month low amid concerns over tariffs and cost of living

Trade war with the US cited as a major concern, along with price increases, survey shows

Fri, 28 Mar, 2025

'Forget about socialising... It’s terrible': Cork people react to rising utility and broadband prices

'Forget about socialising... It’s terrible': Cork people react to rising utility and broadband prices

New data shows one in nine households in Ireland are in arrears on their electricity bills, while almost one in four are behind on their gas bills.

Mon, 24 Mar, 2025

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

Quarter of households in arrears on gas bills

Latest figures show customers are €429 behind on electricity and €198 on gas bills

Mon, 24 Mar, 2025

Arts Council to be reviewed

Impending US tariffs put up to 80,000 jobs and future tax cuts at risk, warns finance minister

'It could also mean we have to make changes in relation to taxation, because we have to prioritise the keeping of jobs and retention of the competitiveness of our economy,' he said

Sun, 23 Mar, 2025

Economy at risk as US tariffs threaten growth, jobs, and inflation, warns Donohoe

Economy at risk as US tariffs threaten growth, jobs, and inflation, warns Donohoe

The finance minister warns that widespread US tariffs on the EU could harm Ireland’s economy, affecting jobs and trade stability

Thu, 20 Mar, 2025

Rising cost of living pushes more Irish households into poverty, CSO figures reveal

Rising cost of living pushes more Irish households into poverty, CSO figures reveal

CSO report reveals Ireland’s poverty rate rose to 11.7% in 2024, with unemployed and renters most at risk

Thu, 20 Mar, 2025

Portrait of woman grabbing head at desk near the laptop

Almost twice as many renters as homeowners find housing costs a worry, but deprivation rate falls

Enforced deprivation, according to the Central Statistics Office, includes being unable to afford a roast dinner once a week, being unable to afford two pairs of properly fitting shoes, and being unable to afford a warm waterproof coat

Tue, 11 Mar, 2025

Terry Prone: Michael Sheen's £1m debt payoff is more than just philanthropy

Terry Prone: Michael Sheen's £1m debt payoff is more than just philanthropy

By exposing a bizarre financial system, the actor — in a small way — is helping to reverse the generational damage debt can deliver

Mon, 10 Mar, 2025

Jack Chambers on energy credits: Government to move away from 'ad-hoc temporary supports'

Jack Chambers on energy credits: Government to move away from 'ad-hoc temporary supports'

The public expenditure minister confirms the Government’s shift from temporary energy credits to long-term investment, despite ongoing cost-of-living concerns

Thu, 06 Mar, 2025

Sector shouldn't be 'singled out for any punishment' over Arts Council scandal, says campaign chair

Sector shouldn't be 'singled out for any punishment' over Arts Council scandal, says campaign chair

There is upset and anger, but mostly disappointment, within the sector that it has found itself in the eye of this storm through no fault of the artists, said National Campaign for the Arts chair Maria Fleming

Mon, 03 Mar, 2025

Electric bill charges paper

Blow for customers as Airtricity hikes electricity and gas prices

Pinning the blame on a rise in external costs, it will see electricity bills increase by 10.5% and gas bills by 8.4%

Fri, 28 Feb, 2025

Demand for children’s disability services far exceed resources available, federation warns

Demand for children’s disability services far exceed resources available, federation warns

Families facing long waits for therapists and vital dentistry services

Thu, 27 Feb, 2025

Royal High School

Tanya Ward: Homeless and refugee children left behind by broken promises from Government

Some politicians go over and above to deliver change for children and young people, but the Children's Rights Alliance's report card has found poor outcomes in housing, mental health, and for refugees

Tue, 25 Feb, 2025

Laya health insurance prices to rise 6.6% as electricity costs hit two-year high

Laya health insurance prices to rise 6.6% as electricity costs hit two-year high

Millions of Irish consumers face fresh financial strain as Laya hikes health insurance premiums and electricity costs soar again

Fri, 21 Feb, 2025

Arts Council to be reviewed

Government needs to show 'fiscal restraint' and phase out cost-of-living measures, warns OECD

Intergovernmental agency said public finances need to be made more resilient

Wed, 12 Feb, 2025

Irish consumers see improvements in their finances but worry pain may be on the way

Irish consumers see improvements in their finances but worry pain may be on the way

Consumer sentiment reaches six month high but nervousness remains

Mon, 27 Jan, 2025

Cost of living crisis

One in 14 Irish people unable to keep homes adequately warm in 2023

According to the CSO, seven out of 10 people who experienced consistent poverty in 2023 were living in rented or rent-free accommodation

Sun, 26 Jan, 2025

Head is swimming on dance floor

Irish nightclub scene on 'brink of collapse', say campaigners

Of the 83 regularly active nightclubs in Ireland, 23 of these are situated in Dublin

Wed, 15 Jan, 2025

Coronavirus - Mon Jul 26, 2021

Price of a pint of Guinness to rise again as 'increased costs' blamed

It is expected the price of a pint in a pub will increase by 20-30c. It is the fourth such price rise from Diageo, which makes Guinness, Carlsberg, Hop House 13 and Rockshore

Wed, 15 Jan, 2025

German inflation accelerates more than expected towards end of 2024

German inflation accelerates more than expected towards end of 2024

While eurozone inflation retreated rapidly in 2024, it’s now seen fluctuating around its current level

Mon, 06 Jan, 2025

Detail of a man shopping in supermarket

Rebound in global food prices to add to grocery costs

Markets brace for trade war under Trump administration

Fri, 03 Jan, 2025

Detail of a man shopping in supermarket

Irish people earn more but housing and cost of living continue to climb, new figures show

Rent and mortgage interest, food prices, and the cost of eating out contributed to the increased cost-of-living, CSO data shows

Fri, 03 Jan, 2025

Bank of Ireland & Abbey National

Falling inflation drives consumer shift to saving more

Consumer attitudes towards saving changed 'dramatically' this quarter, with four in 10 people saying now is a good time to save compared to one in four in August 2023, research finds

Mon, 23 Dec, 2024

Irish consumers end 2024 on cautious note but more positive about their finances next year

Irish consumers end 2024 on cautious note but more positive about their finances next year

December Credit Union Consumer Sentiment Index found households were less fearful about the prospects for their own finances in the year ahead, prompting an increase in spending plans

Mon, 23 Dec, 2024

Social Welfare office

Here's when social welfare payments will be paid over Christmas

The Government has confirmed a number of changes have been made to dates on which a number of social welfare payments will be available over the Christmas period

Tue, 17 Dec, 2024

Rising House Prices

'I’ve heard of landlords exploiting loopholes by increasing parking or utility fees'

In one ‘shocking’ case, the rent on an apartment almost doubled — up €900 a month when RPZ rules say it should have risen €24. Cianan Brennan hears how a rent register could close the new lease loophole

Mon, 09 Dec, 2024

Mick Clifford: We must address threats to democracy

S Mick Clifford: We must address threats to democracy

We are lucky to enjoy democracy in Ireland. However, it faces major challenges if people feel abandoned by the State

Sat, 30 Nov, 2024

Serious caucasian old elderly senior couple grandparents family counting funds on calculator, doing paperwork, savings, paying d

Election 2024: Housing and health among key issues for older voters

Statutory homecare funding would mean financial supports, using a similar approach to the Fair Deal scheme for nursing home care

Thu, 28 Nov, 2024

Paschal Donohoe denies Sinn Féin accusation party is 'scaring' voters on economy to win election

Paschal Donohoe denies Sinn Féin accusation party is 'scaring' voters on economy to win election

Fine Gael's messaging in recent days has focused on its own handling of the economy contrasted with Sinn Féin's plans

Wed, 27 Nov, 2024

Election 2024: Somebody needs to have farmers' backs

Election 2024: Somebody needs to have farmers' backs

Friday's general election is coming at a pivotal time for Irish agriculture

Listen | Mon, 25 Nov, 2024

Cancer survivor spends up to €100 per trip for treatment in Cork

Cancer survivor spends up to €100 per trip for treatment in Cork

Samantha Vaughan is calling on the next government to increase financial supports for patients facing additional costs of treatment

Sun, 24 Nov, 2024

Historic buildings in Kilkenny Ireland

Trump Mark 2 means the next Government must seriously support domestic industries

Tourism Chief Eoghan O'Mara Walsh is clear on what the next Government must prioritise

Sun, 24 Nov, 2024

Irish Examiner view: Is our justice system fit for purpose?

Irish Examiner view: Is our justice system fit for purpose?

The criminal justice system, and the prison sector in particular, is under huge pressure from the sheer weight of numbers it must contend with

Thu, 21 Nov, 2024

Election 2024: War of words as Fine Gael hits out at Sinn Féin on economy with attack ad

Election 2024: War of words as Fine Gael hits out at Sinn Féin on economy with attack ad

Fine Gael has unveiled a new ad that says Sinn Féin are planning to break into the “State piggy bank” to lift €16bn from its coffers

Wed, 20 Nov, 2024

GP surgery stock

Election 2024: Your checklist for the political parties' health priorities

The parties have been spelling out their health policies in areas such as hospital overcrowding, access to GPs, and disability services

Wed, 20 Nov, 2024

Fuel prices

Election 2024: Six things candidates are talking about on the road

A record number of women have been confirmed to run in the general election after registration closed over the weekend

Sun, 17 Nov, 2024

Election 2024: Cost of living — 'There've been times when I have had just 7c in my account'

Election 2024: Cost of living — 'There've been times when I have had just 7c in my account'

Cork nurse Catherine Duggan had to give up her job after cancer left her unable for the physical demands of the role and is now forced to survive on benefits of €260 a week

Listen | Sat, 16 Nov, 2024

Rear view of a family watching TV on sofa at home.

Election 2024: Caitríona Redmond — you don't have to be on the breadline to struggle with the cost of living

My message to the next Dáil: Caitríona Redmond says the reality of a cost-of-living crisis is that the rich get richer, shielded from the worst effects

Listen | Sat, 16 Nov, 2024

Cost of Living crisis

Election 2024: Cost of living — It's always the economy, stupid

The cost of living is likely to feature just as prominently as an issue in the upcoming general election as it did in the US presidential vote

Listen | Sat, 16 Nov, 2024

'My Message to the next Dáil' podcast: Caitríona Redmond on the cost of living crisis

'My Message to the next Dáil' podcast: Caitríona Redmond on the cost of living crisis

Caitríona Redmond sets out what she feels needs to be done by the next government to address the ever worsening cost of living crisis

Listen | Sat, 16 Nov, 2024

The Mick Clifford Podcast: Showtime! Theresa Reidy on how the election campaign is going

The Mick Clifford Podcast: Showtime! Theresa Reidy on how the election campaign is going

Showtime was what political guru PJ Mara once described as the start of a general election campaign but how is this one going?

Listen | Fri, 15 Nov, 2024

Michael Moynihan: When small businesses close, communities are never quite the same

S Michael Moynihan: When small businesses close, communities are never quite the same

My message to the next Dáil: When small operations which are rooted in their community close down, those communities are not quite the same afterwards, says Michael Moynihan

Listen | Thu, 14 Nov, 2024

Consumers expect this Christmas to be much more expensive

Consumers expect this Christmas to be much more expensive

One-third of people say they will spend less due to cost-of-living challenges

Tue, 12 Nov, 2024

War of words as Cork City Council defers budget meeting until after election

War of words as Cork City Council defers budget meeting until after election

Sinn Féin accuses Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael of 'trying to hide' a potential increase in commercial rates

Mon, 11 Nov, 2024