Sinn Fein TD for Cavan-Monaghan Pauline Tully has urged all TDs to back the party’s plan to give an urgent payment to workers and families to tackle the cost of living crisis.
The motion will come before the Dáil tomorrow and would deliver €100-200 for people hit by the cost of living crisis. It is part of a package of proposals by Sinn Féin to help people hit by rising costs, including cutting childcare costs by two thirds and putting a month’s rent back into renters’ pockets.
Speaking today, Teachta Tully said:
“The cost of living is out of control and families are under real financial pressure. Food costs are soaring, while people’s incomes are staying the same. Every day people in Cavan and Monaghan are really struggling.
“No one should ever face the choice between putting food on the table or paying an essential bill. It should shame us all that people are under such pressure while the government fails to act. The government must act now to support ordinary workers and families in Cavan-Monaghan.
“Sinn Féin will bring forward a motion in the Dáil tomorrow to deliver a cost of living payment to people in Cavan-Monaghan and across the state. It would deliver €200 for every adult with an income less than €30,000 and €100 for every adult with an income between €30,000 and €60,000.
“This would give workers and families a much-needed break and put money into their pockets to tackle the cost of living crisis.
“Sinn Féin have put forward a range of solutions that would provide much- needed relief to people including putting a month of rent back into renters’ pockets, cutting childcare fees by two thirds, increasing the minimum wage and social welfare rates, and establishing a discretionary fund to assist households with utility debt. This would include relaxing the rules around Exceptional Needs Payments and re-introducing walk-in access to Community Welfare Officers. These steps would make a real difference to hard-pressed ordinary workers and families hit by the cost of living crisis. The government should back Sinn Féin’s cost of living proposals without delay.
“I am urging all TDs to back our motion and ensure families get this much-needed support without delay. Of course, the government cannot protect everyone from every price increase, but they can do much, much more than they are currently doing. It’s time to help people who are under real financial pressure by backing Sinn Féin’s plan to tackle the cost of living crisis.”
