Figures released today by the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul (SVP) further highlight the government\u2019s failure to get to grips with the cost-of-living crisis, according to Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore.<\/p>\n
Deputy Whitmore, who is the party\u2019s energy spokesperson, said:<\/p>\n
\u201cHouseholds around the country continue to struggle under the weight of soaring energy bills and rising food costs.<\/p>\n
\u201cOf the more than 260,000 requests for assistance received by SVP last year \u2013 up six per cent on 2024 \u2013 over 112,000 were for food.<\/p>\n
\u201cDemand for energy-related support also rose, with 33,224 requests for help received. In fact, last November was the highest-ever month for energy requests recorded by the charity.<\/p>\n
\u201cSignificantly, SVP has warned that the real energy bills of the winter are only landing now. It\u2019s hardly surprising then that, between electricity and gas, almost half a million customers are now in arrears.<\/p>\n
\u201cMeanwhile, the government has failed to conduct a full investigation into energy companies, despite growing concerns that price gouging is widespread in the market.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt has been equally ineffective in tackling skyrocketing grocery prices. Last year, Agriculture Minister Martin Heydon said he was finally going to give the Agri-Food Regulator the power it needs to investigate rising prices. However, it has since transpired that this crucial measure will not be ready until December.<\/p>\n
\u201cPeople need help now, not in a year\u2019s time. That is why, in the D\u00e1il yesterday, I introduced legislation that would give the regulator the additional power it needs to ensure transparency in the food supply chain.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf the government won\u2019t do their job, the Opposition will have to do it for them.\u201d<\/p>\n
January 21, 2026<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Figures released today by the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul (SVP) further highlight the government\u2019s failure to get to grips with the cost-of-living crisis, according to Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party\u2019s energy spokesperson, said: \u201cHouseholds around the country continue to struggle under the weight of soaring energy bills […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":13985,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[650,539,268,7],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-15089","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-cost-of-living","category-energy","category-jennifer-whitmore","category-press-release"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n