The Dáil returns from the summer recess on Wednesday morning, with the cost of living crisis set to be top of the billing for the Opposition as they tackle the Government face-to-face for the first time in months.
Spiralling energy bills, petrol pump hikes and record inflation has heaped the pressure onto Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe to deliver a Budget which helps the public stop having to choose between feeding themselves or keeping heat in their homes.
Budget 2023 will be delivered by Minister Donohoe and the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform Michael McGrath at the end of September.
However, we're already getting tips about what we could see when Mr Donohoe takes to his feet in the Dáil on Budget day.
Minimum wage increase
Much like in Budget 2021, we should see an announcement of a rise in the minimum wage.
The Government will reportedly give the plan the green light tomorrow - bringing the wage up by another 80c an hour to €11.30 an hour.
The Low Pay Commission, which makes recommendations to the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment Leo Varadkar, reportedly called for another rise in 2023 earlier this year.
Longer term plans will see the minimum wage scrapped in favour of a living wage, but the Government is being urged to mirror the rise in inflation with a rise in the living wage itself when it comes into play in the next few years.
Electricity credits to be given to everyone - Taoiseach
Taoiseach Micheál Martin confirmed that electricity credits - which are expected before Christmas and in the new year - will be given to everyone.
Speaking to Newstalk Breakfast Mr. Martin confirmed that they will not be targeted.
However, government sources have suggested the €200 electricity credit must be substantially increased, with some expecting at least three discounts of €200 or more over the next six months.
The Taoiseach reiterated that the Government will move to reduce costs imposed by the State such as healthcare and education costs as well.
While he would not divulge the total cost-of-living package, Martin said a meeting with the party leaders and Minister Donohoe will take place this week.
New EU deal will respond to Russia's 'war on energy'
"No one has ever weaponised access to the sun or wind" said Eamon Ryan as nine countries, including our own, vowed to meet 85% of the EU’s offshore wind target by 2050.
Ireland is co-president of the North Seas Energy Cooperation which also includes Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden and the European Commission.
They agreed at a historic meeting in Dun Laoghaire yesterday to accelerate Europe’s move towards energy independence by creating at least 260GW of the EU’s 300GW target.
That’s around 10% of the EU’s energy supply which Minister Ryan says will be further boosted by solar and hydro energy.
Mr Ryan said: “This project is in response to the war on energy that has been started by the Russian Government.
“The consequential energy price shock and security of supply crisis has shown us how crucial it is we move away, as quickly as possible, from our reliance on expensive and ransomed fossil fuels.
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