Tánaiste Micheál Martin has accused Sinn Féin of playing “clever politics” during the cost of living debate as he vowed that those on the lowest incomes would be protected.
He made the comments ahead of meetings between the coalition leader and senior ministers to discuss next Tuesday’s announcement.
It is widely expected that measures such as double welfare payments could be announced, as well as some universal measures.
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It comes as new figures from the Central Statistics Office (CSO) showed that inflation slowed to 7.8% in January.
During Leaders’ Questions, Sinn Féin’s Pearse Doherty criticised the government for voting against a “spring bonus” and mortgage interest relief.
“Given that the Government has ruled out a spring bonus, what does it propose to do for those who are really suffering, visiting food banks and going without meals, as described in great detail by Barnardos?” he asked Mr Martin.
In response, the Tánaiste listed the interventions taken by the Government in recent months to ease the cost of living, as he accused Sinn Féin of playing “clever politics”.
He said: “We all talk about the Christmas bonus and the Deputy uses a nice, politically clever device.
“Ah hey presto, a spring bonus. Let us have a summer bonus. Let us have an autumn bonus.
“It is good politics, but that is all it is - clever politics. Attempting to be clever but I do not think it fools people.”
Mr Martin said that inflation “appears to have peaked and is trending downwards”.
The Tánaiste later confirmed that the Government will help those most in need.
He added: “We are going to come forward with proposals to deal with people on low incomes and to target our resources at those on low incomes.”
The coalition leaders and senior ministers will meet this Thursday evening to speak about future cost of living measures.
It is understood that Fine Gael will be pushing for a “mix of targeted and universal measures”.
The Irish Mirror understands, meanwhile, that the Green Party wants to “focus attention on vulnerable families”.
It has been suggested in some quarters that the Greens could push back against the idea of another €200 electricity credit.
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