Government measures to tackle the cost of living fall far short of what struggling families need, Mary Lou McDonald has told the Dail.
The Sinn Fein leader told the Taoiseach yesterday the public cannot wait until the next Budget in October for extra support.
She said: “The house is on fire now, Taoiseach.
“Workers and families cannot wait seven months for a fire brigade that might never come.”
On Monday, Michael Martin ruled out any extra measures to tackle the rising cost of living before the autumn.
Instead, he defended a €290million package of measures designed to mitigate the cost of living announced last week by the Government.
That package, which was blasted as “paltry” by opposition parties, included a rebate on household energy bills increasing to €200, including VAT.
Public transport fares are set to be cut by 20% from April for the rest of the year.
People already in receipt of the fuel allowance will also receive an additional payment of €125.
Mr Martin hit back at Sinn Fein proposals, which include an axing of the planned increase in carbon tax later this year.
They also seek providing direct payments of €200 to individuals on incomes of €30,000 euro or less, and €100 euro for individuals on incomes between €30,000 - 60,000.
He said: “You’re saying it is too small and hence, what you seem to be proposing, will be inflationary. It would actually make things worse.
“This economy has rebounded, very significantly, because of good, sound economic management.”
Ms McDonald appealed to the Taoiseach to listen to the concerns of the public.
She said: “People now are making choices between heat and food. Where people now feel lost and frightened.
“It is not an exaggeration to say that families are staring into the abyss.”
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