Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 8 September 2022
390. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Finance the measures he is putting in place for single PAYE workers without dependants to alleviate the increased cost-of-living challenges for this cohort; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43298/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraWith regard to the cost of living increases, the Government is acutely aware of the cost pressures currently facing businesses and households, including people aged 65 years or over and those workers in the category to which the Deputy refers, and has responded to help alleviate some of this burden. On a cumulative basis, the Government has announced approximately €2.4 billion in cost of living measures since last October. These measures include changes in tax and social welfare, the provision of an energy credit for households and a temporary reduction in the rate of VAT on the supply of certain energy products.
While public resources cannot be deployed at the scale that would be needed to fully compensate for cost increases, the Government remains fully committed to supporting and protecting those most vulnerable in society through both tax and expenditure measures. Further measures are actively being considered in the context of Budget 2023.
As the Deputy will appreciate, it is a longstanding practice of the Minister for Finance not to comment in advance of the Budget on any tax matters that might be the subject of Budget decisions.
