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Tuesday 30 May 2023 Dublin: 17°C

# Cost of Living

Last week
21st May 2023 - 27th May 2023
# Greedflation
Is Ireland once again a 'Treasure Island' for supermarkets?
In 2013, TDs wondered if there was truth behind the rumour that Tesco called Ireland, ‘Treasure Island’.
Analysis: Corporate profits must also be taken into account when discussing inflation
Cost-of-living: Average year-on-year costs of milk and sliced bread rises by 24% and 13%
This month
May 2023
# Electricity Bill
Elderly woman forced to use savings for late husband's headstone to pay energy bill, Dáil hears
Sinn Féin TD Sorca Clarke raised the case during Leaders’ Questions this afternoon.
# at the pumps
Petrol prices fall to the lowest since September 2021 but rises expected next month
According to a recent survey conducted by AA Ireland the price for both petrol fell by 2.6% while diesel fell 1.2%.
# Inflation
From energy caps to scrapped TV licence: How nearby countries responded to cost-of-living crisis
What measures have some other governments responded to rising prices over the last year?
Voices
Analysis: Corporate profits must also be taken into account when discussing inflation
Oana Peia and Davide Romelli look at the increases in inflation and asses the impact corporate profits are having on this cycle.
# Cost of Living
Government accused of ‘sitting on its hands’ during cost-of-living crisis
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar told the Dáil the Government was introducing measures every month to help people struggling with bills.
# Cost of Living
Retailers must 'step up to the plate' and reduce grocery prices, Richmond says
A meeting of the Retail Forum is due to take place on Wednesday.
# GAA No
GAA Go creating 'invisible barrier' for older fans, says Age Action
The GAA Go platform has come in for criticism as 38 games are exclusive to the streaming service this year.
# GAA No
GAA Go creating 'invisible barrier' for older fans, says Age Action
The GAA Go platform has come in for criticism as 38 games are exclusive to the streaming service this year.
# Inflation
Retail summit to discuss concerns over food prices in Ireland
The meeting has been called by Neale Richmond, the junior minister with responsibility for retail business.
Voices
Financial advisor: Another ECB hike has been imposed - what should mortgage holders do?
Kieran McAuliffe of Provest looks at today’s ECB increase in interest rates – the seventh in a row – and has some advice for mortgage holders.
# Greedflation
So-called 'supermarket price war' is more like 'phony battle of convenience', Dáil hears
Cairns also questioned state agencies’ ability to tackle opportunist profiteering.
# butter me up
Irish supermarket chains to cut price of own-brand butter
It follows a similar cut in the price of own-brand milk last week.
# Cost of Living
Govt acting like commentators by failing to ensure energy companies pass on savings, says SF
Irish wholesale electricity prices have been falling in recent months.
# Cost of Living
Companies should pass on savings as costs fall, Donohoe says
The Public Expenditure Minister said that the Government would be watching out for companies profiteering.
# Cost of Living
European Central Bank expected to hike interest rates again as inflation grows
The inflation rate in the eurozone rose to 7% in April.
Last month
April 2023
# Cost of Living
Inflation slows again in April, but only to 6.3%
Average energy prices fell last month but food costs increased slightly.
# Cost of Living
€200 cost-of-living payment to be given to 1.3 million people this week
The payment was part of a cost-of-living supports package announced in February.
# intervention
Finance Minister 'not ruling out' additional measures to help people deal with cost-of-living
However, Michael McGrath said that it was important to wait until Budget 2024 before implementing any such measures.
# Coronation
New poll finds over half of British do not want to pay for King Charles coronation
51% of respondents believe the ceremony to crown Charles and Camilla should not be paid for by the UK government.
# Inflation
Cost of living: Annual inflation rate down to 7.7% from 2022 high of almost 10%
March was the 18th consecutive month where inflation was at least 5%.
March
March 2023
Voices
Analysis: We know of 'shrinkflation' but what role is 'greedflation' playing in our economy?
Economist Victor Duggan wonders if it is a profit-price spiral that is driving inflation.
# energy costs
Ryan says windfall tax will help with electricity bills, but fails to commit to more energy credits
It is intended that the legislation would be enacted before the summer recess and first proceeds are expected to be collected in September.
# Consumer Price Index
Cost-of-living: Annual rate of inflation rises slightly to 8.5%
The CSO Consumer Price Index rose by 8.5% between February 2022 and February 2023.
# Evictions
Sinn Féin TD says rent 'emergency isn't over' as eviction ban set to expire this month
Louise O’Reilly has called for the eviction ban to be extended, while Cabinet is due to discuss the ban on Tuesday.
THE MORNING LEAD
'Harder and harder to make ends meet': Your stories about coping with high energy costs
A report by
Tadgh McNally
Readers have detailed their experiences in dealing with high energy prices.
This year
2023
# drop the prices
Varadkar says windfall tax is coming and calls on energy companies to drop their prices
The Taoiseach says Government won’t just be using ‘politie encouragement’ to get prices down.
Voices
Analysis: Government supports are welcome but will they improve living standards long-term?
Taking the temperature of the global economy, Economist Victor Duggan asks whether government support offered this week will be adequate.
# fuel costs
Excise duty cuts on petrol and diesel to remain for now - but it will increase from June
The Cabinet today agreed a range of cost-of-living measures.
# Cost of Living
The government has announced a new cost-of-living package. Here's what's in it
The new cost-of-living measures were confirmed today.
A once-off €100 child benefit payment and a €200 lump sum for social welfare recipients will be paid out.
The State exam fees - for the Junior and Leaving Certificate - are again being waived.
The 9% VAT rate for hospitality and tourism will continue until 31 August.
Excise duty cuts on petrol and diesel to remain for now - but it will increase from June
Cost-of-living: Annual rate of inflation drops again slightly to 7.8%
# Fraud
Public warned not to click on scam link claiming to be for 'electricity benefits'
The link is circulating after details of a new cost of living package emerged yesterday evening.
# Cost of Living
€100 child benefit bonus and €200 lump sum social welfare payment under cost-of-living measures
The social protection measures have running cost of €400 million.
# Cost of Living
Govt expected to sign off on cost-of-living package next week following 'good discussion'
It comes after the Tánaiste accused Sinn Féin of “clever politics” in the Dáil during a tense exchange over the upcoming package.
# Cost of Living
Cost-of-living: Annual rate of inflation drops again slightly to 7.8%
The Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose by 7.8% between January 2022 and January 2023.
# Cost of Living
Taoiseach: Upcoming cost-of-living package will not be on the scale of a mini-budget
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar confirmed that there would be both targeted and universal measures within the package.
# Cost of Living
Taoiseach says windfall tax 'well advanced' and will be used to help families and businesses
A number of existing supports are due to expire at the end of the month.
# Cost of Living
Upcoming cost-of-living package to contain 'social welfare and pensions' element
Ministers will meet this week to discuss the detail of what measures should be extended.
# Cost of Living
All electricity customers to get €90 off bills over seven instalments
Customers normally have to pay a levy to fund renewable energy, but when electricity prices go up this levy is not needed.
Varadkar says he'll reveal plans for eviction ban and cost-of-living supports in mid-February
The Taoiseach said it is ‘fair to say that the rising cost-of-living is biting hard’.
# Cost of Living
Plan to abolish public hospital charges to come before Cabinet later
Currently patients can face a charge of €80 per day with an annual cap of a maximum of 10 days costing €800.