The response from the Government to the cost-of-living crisis that has come on top of a cost-of-living crisis is absolutely inadequate. The Government response is miserly in comparison to the scale of suffering in the country. We are seeing rising numbers of people living in poverty under this Government. The Minister claimed that the Government is addressing these issues. The Taoiseach goes on about addressing and caring about child poverty. One in four children in this country is growing up in poverty right now. The response we are seeing is absolutely inadequate. The Government's response actually means cuts for ordinary workers, ordinary families, the elderly and disabled people. Disabled people's supports were cut in the budget. It is Scrooge for ordinary people and it is Santa Claus for the investor funds, the developers and the fast-food giants. The Government is giving over €1 billion this year in public money to investor funds and fast-food giants, yet it turns around to ordinary people and says, "We have to wait. We're not quite sure if we can give you the money yet." The Government has billions sitting in a surplus while, as I said, one in four children is living in poverty. It gets even worse. The rate of lone parents living in deprivation stands at 49%, and that has increased since 2023. The number of renters getting no rental supports who are living in poverty has increased from 36% in 2023 to 43%. That was last year, before the current increases, which shows the Government is completely ignoring a cost-of-living crisis and a level of poverty that is completely unacceptable. As I said, it is Scrooge for ordinary people and Santa Claus for the wealthy investors and the big fast-food giants. It is shameful that the Government is not providing a sufficient response for people. Nor is it tackling the issue of price gouging and profiteering, which we know is going on again at the pumps and with the oil providers. The energy costs are crippling for people. People are choosing between heating and eating and it is not good enough. The Social Democrats have called for a targeted energy credit which could really help people. Why is the Government not doing that? It is unacceptable and we will continue to call it out.

Sentiment score: -0.22