Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore today attended an event to announce details of the Affordable Ireland Campaign\u2019s cost-of-living demonstration march, which will take place in Dublin city centre on February 28.<\/p>\n
The campaign is backed by the Social Democrats and other Opposition parties, and includes various trade unions, students\u2019 organisations, the Irish Traveller Movement and pensioner groups.<\/p>\n
Speaking at today\u2019s launch outside the gates of Leinster House, Deputy Whitmore said:<\/p>\n
\u201cI fully back the Affordable Ireland Campaign\u2019s demands that this government take real action on the cost-of-living crisis, which is impacting households and workers the length and breadth of the country.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn a recent D\u00e1il motion, the Social Democrats called for an emergency winter payment of \u20ac400 to be introduced for disabled people. This is just one of a number of measures the government could take.<\/p>\n
\u201cHowever, it is clear from comments made during the debate that this government just doesn’t get it. I found it disgraceful that a minister would call into question claims by disability groups that people are having to choose between eating and heating.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere are other things that could be done. This government should also follow through on their promise to abolish college fees, benchmark social welfare payments, cap rents, and increase investment in public services, including childcare and healthcare.<\/p>\n
\u201cI have recently introduced a bill calling for enhanced powers to be given to the Agri-Food Regulator. This would result in greater transparency around grocery costs and uncover any evidence of price gouging in the food supply chain.\u201d<\/p>\n
February 10, 2026<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore today attended an event to announce details of the Affordable Ireland Campaign\u2019s cost-of-living demonstration march, which will take place in Dublin city centre on February 28. The campaign is backed by the Social Democrats and other Opposition parties, and includes various trade unions, students\u2019 organisations, the Irish Traveller Movement and […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":15471,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[650,539,10,268,7],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-15470","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-cost-of-living","category-energy","category-housing-crisis","category-jennifer-whitmore","category-press-release"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n