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Irish Mirror
Irish Mirror
National
Ciara Phelan

Coalition leaders to meet over cost of living as further measures to help Irish households expected

The three Coalition leaders are set to meet on Monday night to discuss how they can further protect Irish households against the rising cost of living.

The Government is facing pressure to bring forward more financial measures to help people as the war in Ukraine rages on which has impacted the cost of energy and food.

Measures may be brought forward to Cabinet on Wednesday but Minister Ryan has indicated it could be in a number of weeks.

READ MORE: Leo Varadkar says there'll be 'no big bazooka' measure to tackle cost of living

Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe and Public Expenditure Minister Michael McGrath will also meet with Taoiseach Micheál Martin, Tanáiste Leo Varadkar and Green Party leader, Eamon Ryan.

The Government has committed to bringing forward more measures to Cabinet and it’s expected this will include an expansion of the eligibility of the fuel allowance as well as further financial aid for families.

Taoiseach Micheál Martin has said the measures will be “targeted” to support families on low incomes.

The Government has also promised to offset the imminent carbon tax rise, which is due to come in next month.

On Wednesday, Government officials will meet with unions and employers at the Labour Employer Economic Forum.

Speaking on Friday, Mr Varadkar said: "Ultimately what we need is an anti-inflation strategy that’s about bringing down the cost of living, not just chasing the cost of living upwards.

“We want to take some additional actions, but in particular, what we decided we want to do is offset the increase in carbon tax that happens on May 1.

“We want to do something to offset that, but that’ll be the intention.

“Now, it’s not going to be another big bazooka measure.

“We’re not in that position at the moment.

“We don’t want to get into the situation whereby we’re borrowing money to help people reduce their bills, because ultimately, in the long run, that’s just a con.”

It’s also expected that the Government will bring forward “behaviour-led” measures which will urge households to reduce their use of energy at certain times to reduce costs.

READ MORE: Leo Varadkar pledges measures to 'offset' carbon tax rise within weeks as cost of living soars

READ MORE: List of items Ireland could run out of as Ukraine war continues - household goods and essentials at risk

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