Cost of living crisis is “not sustainable” says McDonald

Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald said that the upcoming Budget must “put workers and families first” as the cost of living crisis continues to bite.

The Sinn Féin leader was speaking at the party’s “think-in” in Malahide.

McDonald stated, “Sinn Féin’s Budget proposals will put workers and families first; our focus will be on providing solutions.”

“We would abolish the USC on the first €40,000 that people earn. That will put more than €700 back in your pocket. This is the fairest way to deliver tax relief,” she said.

“We would provide a €400 energy credit to bring down energy bills, and we would scrap carbon taxes on home heating oil – bringing down costs and recognising the real pressure people are under to heat their homes. This can happen immediately and we are bringing forward next week the legislation to make it happen,” the Dublin Central TD said.

McDonald said, “the cost of living crisis is as bad as ever, a major source of stress and frustration in homes right across the country.”

“People are doing everything they can to get by but every day face rising prices, rising costs, the feeling of being ripped off.”

The Sinn Féin leader said “in the twelve months prices have spiralled so far out of control that many families are spending €2,000 more this year to have the same standard of living as last year. Groceries up, home heating up, electricity up, fuel, insurance and more. That is not sustainable.”

“In particular, the sharp spikes in fuel and energy prices have put working households under severe pressure,” she said.

McDonald said, “we would scrap carbon taxes on home heating oil – bringing down costs and recognising the real pressure people are under to heat their homes. This can happen immediately and we are bringing forward the legislation next week to make it happen.”

Budget 2027 cannot be more of the same from Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael. We can’t have another year where workers are left worse off. This is an opportunity to deliver for people, an opportunity that must be grasped.”