Fresh calls for Government to increase social welfare by €20 a week due to high cost of living

Core social welfare rates need to rise by €20 per week to deal with the cost of living crisis as well as making tax credits refundable.

This is according to Social Justice Ireland – a leading independent think-tank – which also wants the Government to replace the minimum wage with a living wage rate of €12.90 an hour.

The calls come as thousands took to the streets in large protests in six towns and cities across the country on Saturday, organised by the Cost of Living Coalition.

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But the Taoiseach has already stated that cost of living measures cannot be “cashed month to month” and said there will be no emergency budget or extra cost of living measures introduced before October.

Micheal Martin told Newstalk’s On The Record yesterday that the Summer Economic Statement in July will “set the scene in terms of identifying the likely resources we are to have available to spend on alleviating pressure”.

He called for “more sustained and comprehensive measures that will be sustainable”.

Speaking at Saturday’s protest in Dublin, People Before Profit TD Richard Boyd Barrett told the crowd “our critical message is we are not waiting until the budget, we want action now”.

While the Taoiseach said he is “very conscious of the acute pressures on people”, he added that Budget 2023 will be a “cost of living budget” and “we have to do it in a way that’s sustainable because we simply cannot have a package month to month”.

Social Justice Ireland wants the Government to ensure low-income households are protected in Budget 2023.

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Chief Dr Sean Healy said: “The Government should ensure they do no harm to low-income households in Budget 2023.

“There is a real danger the cost of living crisis will be combined with extensive inflation and, possibly, recession.

“So if the Government gets its choices wrong, a great many low-income, poor people in Ireland could find their already precarious situation worsened substantially.”

According to Susanne Rogers, research and policy analyst at Social Justice Ireland, a recent study highlighted how housing costs impact on the living standards of renters – in particular low-income families who live in accommodation provided by local authorities.

She said: “Budget 2023 must protect those in low-income households most seriously impacted by the current crisis.

“It is vital that the fiscal stance protects those on low and middle incomes and provides the resources to reduce division and improve wellbeing in Irish society.”

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