Sinn Féin spokesperson on Finance, Pearse Doherty TD, has said that the latest Credit Union Consumer Sentiment Index shows the failure of Budget 2025 to make a difference in people’s lives.

Speaking after the release of the findings, Teachta Doherty said:

“People continue to be hit hard by the cost of living. The reality of the budget is that it barely keeps pace with inflation. And that comes on the back of a number of years where people saw their wages decline in real terms.

“That is why half of the public believe Budget 2025 will make no improvement to their living standards. Because that has been their experience under this government.

“People hear about the millions and the billions, but they don’t feel better off. For most people it is about what’s left at the end of the week. When the bills are paid, is there anything left.

“People look at their bank account and they wonder if it is just them struggling. But it’s not and people should know that.

“Workers are worse off in real terms than when this government came to power. Wages and social supports have not kept pace with inflation.

“Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael have failed to tackle cost of living particularly in areas like housing and childcare.

“Workers and families can not afford another five years of Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael.

“This is how this budget will be judged and how the parties in government will be judged at election time.”