Cost of living meeting to take place in Waterford

Sinn Féin TD, Pearse Doherty, is to visit County Waterford to address a meeting focusing on the cost of living crisis affecting people in the Déise county.

Deputy Doherty will address the meeting at Lawlor's Hotel, in Dungarvan, on Thursday, June 11, at 8pm, where he will be joined by Sinn Féin TDs for Waterford, Deputies David Cullinane and Conor McGuinness.

The public meeting is being organised with the aim of looking at ways of addressing the growing financial pressures facing workers, families and pensioners across the county.

Speaking ahead of the event, Deputy McGuinness said people across Waterford are continuing to feel the impact of rising living costs while the Government refuses to use the resources available to provide meaningful relief.

“Families, workers and pensioners are still struggling with the cost of groceries, energy bills, insurance, childcare and housing costs," he said.

"Many people are working hard, doing everything right, yet they find themselves under constant financial pressure," he added.

He went on to comment that Government is sitting on unprecedented budget surpluses while refusing to take the action needed to reduce the burden on ordinary households, describing the situation as "a political choice".

“The reality is that people across Waterford are asking where the benefit of all of this economic growth is," said Deputy McGuinness.

"They see the cost of living continuing to rise while public services remain under pressure and the housing crisis continues to deepen," he added, before commenting: "Young people are increasingly losing hope that they will ever be able to buy a home in the county where they grew up. Renters face soaring costs and a chronic shortage of available accommodation. Families are being squeezed from every direction.”

Meanwhile, Deputy Cullinane said: "People are rightly frustrated that despite repeated promises from Government, the cost of living remains far too high and many households are still struggling to make ends meet. This public meeting is an opportunity for people from across Waterford to hear directly from Pearse Doherty about Sinn Féin’s alternative approach and to discuss the practical measures needed to reduce costs, tackle the housing crisis and support workers and families."

“I would encourage anyone concerned about the rising cost of living or the housing emergency to come along and take part in the discussion," said Deputy Cullinane.

The meeting is open to the public and all are welcome.