'Cost of living crisis deepening', says Cork TD as calls to MABS increase in Munster

A Cork TD has said that the 10% increase in calls received by the South Munster Money Advice and Budgeting Service (MABS) highlights how the cost of living crisis is “not only still here, but deepening”.

The service has issued a call for urgent government action ahead of Budget 2026 as the agency has received calls from an average of 190 people per month since January, representing a 10% rise in caseloads across Cork since the start of this year.

The organisation is urging the government to address increasing debt and housing pressures for struggling families and individuals, “to prevent deeper hardship and long-term social costs”.

Key issues for Cork clients flagged by South Munster MABS in their pre-budget submission include an escalation in mortgage distress, a utility bills crisis and rents being beyond reach.

In order to combat these issues, the agency is seeking the introduction of a social energy tariff to protect financially vulnerable households; an overhaul of the Housing Assistance Programme (HAP) and Rent Supplement systems to reflect increasing costs.

Mabs is also seeking expanded support for people in long-term mortgage arrears; stronger protections against utility disconnection; and broader access to hardship funds and emergency supports for those in arrears.

Ursula Collins, who is the regional manager of South Munster MABS said that the increase is not only a reflection of those struggling in Cork, but across Munster as a whole.

'SUPPORTS ARE TOO SLOW'

“We’re now supporting an average of 190 new clients every month in the region,” said Ms Collins.

“That’s not just a number—it reflects hundreds of households facing choices between heating, rent, food or mortgage payments.

“Too many people are falling through the cracks because supports are too slow, too limited, or simply don’t reflect the cost of living on the ground."

“We want to ensure Budget 2026 is people-centred and will help vulnerable households desperately in need of support.”

Sinn Féin Cork South Central TD, Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire said that the Government needs to prioritise the delivery of social supports as families and individuals are under “really severe pressure”.

"This is further evidence of the fact that the cost of living crisis is not only still here, but deepening,” said Mr Ó Laoghaire.

“A government minister was recently quoted as saying the budget will reflect the fact that the cost of living crisis is over - yet we are seeing more and more families under pressure.

“Clearly a lot of this is connected to the housing crisis and MABS are right to identify that, and none of the Government schemes are getting to grips with unaffordable housing, both to rent or to buy.

"It goes beyond that, we have some of the highest energy prices in Europe still, we have essential food products skyrocketing in price, and a system that is constantly asking people to pay twice, once in taxes and once in charges such as GP fees, so called voluntary contributions, A&E fees, prescription charges, and third level fees, which the Government want to increase.

“The Government need to get back in touch with reality - people are really struggling out there, families, workers, small businesses, right across the board, and we believe there is a need for a strong cost of living package to reflect the fact that people are still under really severe pressure.” 

 Socialist Party councillor for Cork City North West, Brian McCarthy said that “when we see supermarket prices alone rising by 4.6% in a year, it's obvious that the cost of living crisis is getting worse”.

“The government have ruled out any cost of living measures this year despite the budget surplus,” said Mr McCarthy.

“This refusal to act in a crisis is an attack on the living standards of working-class people by those who seek to defend and increase profits for businesses.”