As many as 5,000 people marched on the Dail today to protest the cost of living crisis ahead of next week's Budget.
The soaring cost of petrol, electricity, gas and food means more and more people are struggling to make ends meet and are living in fear of the winter months ahead. It comes as the Government puts the final touches on next week's Budget which reportedly includes €3 billion in cost of living supports.
The protest was organised by the Cost of Living Coalition which includes a number of political parties, charities and public figures. Dublin Live estimated there to be 5,000 people at the protest but others have suggested attendance as high as 20,000.
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The march - which can be read back on our Live Blog - started at 2.30pm on Parnell Square and headed across the Liffey to Leinster House. Those marching told Dublin Live the Government "need to step up" and provide more supports for the vulnerable.
Bernard Mulvany, who has a daughter with a disability, said the Government needed to ensure people with disabilities, carers, pensioners have at least a €350 a week income. He said: "We are here today representing people with disabilities, carers, pensioners and the fact that the support from the state is far less than the minimum needed to survive during the pandemic.
"€350 [referring to Pandemic Unemployment Payment] was decided by Government as the minimum you needed to survive in Ireland in 2020, 2021 and 2022. People with disabilities, pensioners and carers are on a lot less than that.
"We are in the middle of the worst cost of living crisis in a generation when people with disabilities, pensioners and carers were already suffering. We are going to continue to suffer and it is going to get even worse.
He added: "So, we are saying to the Government now, we are not having it anymore. You need to step up.
"We need to get at least the minimum that was needed to survive which was €350 just to be able to get by with fuel, light heat along with everything else that goes with living with a long term illness and being an elderly person.
"We don't want to have to stay in our homes over the winter, in the dark, cold, afraid, isolated and alone. We want the Government to hear us today. We need to be looked after."
In a striking address to the protestors, Bernard's daughter Sophia said: "Hi, I am Sofia and I am 12 years old. I want to ask the adults in the crowds, did you know what a housing crisis, climate crisis, health crisis and a cost of living crisis was?
"Well, I do. As do most of my friends. I know some children who have to call a hotel room a home or a hub a home.
"I know of children who can't visit loved ones because it is too expensive to put fuel in the car. Who's parent can't afford to put food on the table. Who's parent's sometimes go without food just to feed their children."
She added: "When I talk to my granny and grandad, they tell they have never seen it so bad. They have never seen people asleep in tents on the street and they wonder how has this been allowed happen.
"If things are just getting worse, imagine how hard it will be when I am older and trying to provide for myself. If we stay this way, you are robbing me and lots of young people of their future."
Fr Peter McVerry of the homelessness charity by the same name told Dublin live: "I think it [the protest] is brilliant. It is the Government's first responsibility, its primary responsibility, is to make sure the needs of all its citizens are met and that includes, heating, electricity and food.
"They can't use the excuse they don't have the money. The money is there. Somebody on €100,000 a year cannot even begin to understand what it is like for somebody struggling to keep the lights on or keep food on the table."
He added: "A massive crowd like this sends that very strong message to them that they have to understand, that they have to take action not to be stressed out all winter about heating and lighting."
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