The increased demand has coincided with rising concerns about the cost of living and back-to-school costs, with people seeking the State’s money advice and budgeting service financial and budgeting assistance

Rising inflation has also led to a new demographic of people who have sought assistance with back-to-school costs this summer from the Society of St Vincent de Paul for the first time ever

“By failing to address the matter urgently we are losing our competitiveness to recruit nurses and midwives from overseas and driving nurses and midwives in the current services to consider moving abroad.”

Eir recently announcement that fixed line charge bills will increase by €5 a month from August 1 this year

The elderly rights activist has voiced his support for calls for minimum increases of €20 to the State pension, the living alone allowance, and the fuel allowance in Budget 2023.

Caitríona Twomey, who runs Cork Penny Dinners, says she has been inundated with messages from parents desperate to see their children equipped with supplies before they return to school in September. 

The Children’ Rights Alliance is calling for urgent action to address the issue. 

The majority of childcare fees are set to remain at rates that were in place in September last year

The concerned Cork mother told The Echo she is worried about the various costs for her three children

The Summer Economic Statement, announced yesterday by Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe and Public Expenditure Minister Michael McGrath, sets out the parameters for the Budget - which will now be held on September 27.

Socialist Party TD Mick Barry is one of those behind what's expected to be a large protest in Cork city on the cost of living tomorrow.

With primary school students yet to disperse for July and August, head of Cork Penny Dinners, Caitríona Twomey said she fears the problem may grow in the weeks ahead.

Over 750,000 smart meters have already been installed in homes across Ireland, and by the end of 2024, it is expected that all two million households in Ireland will have a smart meter

The protest is expected to be part of a number of cost of living protests taking place across the country on the same day.

The living wage — the minimum needed for a decent standard of living — was calculated at €12.90 an hour last September. 

Speaking to The Echo, Michael McGrath said that the Government has sought to respond in the best way that it can but said it also needs to be honest with people.

SVP said that there have been 'a lot' of calls from people in Cork seeking the charity's assistance.

A TD said families in Cork City and county are paying on average €800 per month per child, which he described as “crazy money”

Politicians in Cork have raised serious concerns about the impact of the crisis. 

WITH charities reporting an unprecedented demand for their services, the Taoiseach has said the Government cannot bring in measures to address the cost of living crisis “every single week”, saying they will instead address it in a more “medium term”.

While the Government is working on the cost-of-living package, it is not expected to include any further financial support

The ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine has seen petrol prices shoot up, with the cost of petrol and diesel both rising above €2 a litre at a number of Cork petrol stations