Families simply cannot cope with the skyrocketing cost of food, according to Social Democrats finance spokesperson Cian O’Callaghan.
Deputy O’Callaghan said:
“Soaring food prices are something the government promised to address.
“It’s now been more than two years since Minister Neale Richmond organised his meeting with grocery retailers to discuss runaway prices. However, there has been zero meaningful action since then.
“Households, now expected to pay another 6.5 per cent increase in food costs, are getting no help from this government.
“Budget 2026 once again proved that this government is completely out of touch when it comes to the cost-of-living crisis.
“When grocery inflation is ramping up, we should be looking to ease the pressure on families.
“Instead, this government chose to hand out hundreds of millions in tax cuts to multinational fast-food chains and property developers.
“Struggling households are being denied targeted supports, which will result in more and more workers, children, and pensioners sinking into poverty.
“The Social Democrats had called for the introduction of a second tier of Child Benefit, a €400 targeted energy credit, and a €15 increase to pension payments to ensure a decent standard of living – proposals that were ignored in the budget.
“Food, housing, heating, and electricity are the basics that should not be causing so much stress and worry to people in a country as wealthy as Ireland.
“Ordinary people are paying the price for this government’s choices. It’s unjust. It’s unsustainable. And it’s indefensible.”
October 20, 2025