A cost-of-living protest in Cork city attracted hundreds of protesters, and activists there demanded more assistance from the government to support those who were struggling with inflation.
Protesters chanted “the cost of living is rising, so are we” and held signs up with slogans like “Rent Control Now”.
The Cork City Council buildings were surrounded by a large crowd as many speakers addressed the protest.
Ex-Debenhams employee Valerie Conlon discussed the €390 million in half-year earnings revealed by the ESB on Friday.
“Already the Government are trying to backtrack on that by saying they’ll give it back to us. They won’t,” she said.
Antoinette Burke of Families Unite for Services and Support (Fuss) described the expense in accessing services for her 15-year-old daughter, who has cerebral palsy.
“We are forced to start GoFundMes for things like basic surgeries, wheelchairs, specialist seating. Many of us receive no state support, all despite not being able to work,” she said.
“Given that so often the role of a carer is taken on by mothers, means testing payments against partners’ incomes not only tells us how the state values carers’ contributions to their community but leaves women utterly dependent and extremely vulnerable.”
The demonstration comes ahead of a cost-of-living protest to be held in Dublin next Saturday, before the budget is officially presented on Tuesday, September 27th.
Along with Budget 2023, the government is expected to announce a number of one-time cost-of-living adjustments, including a second electricity grant that will be made available before Christmas.