Search icon

News

18th Jun 2022

Cost of living protests taking place across Ireland today

Stephen Porzio

Demonstrations are happening on Saturday afternoon in Cork, Dublin, Galway, Limerick and Sligo.

A number of protests against the cost of living crisis are set to take place across Ireland on Saturday (18 June).

Organised by the non-profit organisation the Cost of Living Coalition, demonstrations are happening in Cork, Dublin, Galway, Limerick and Sligo in the afternoon.

The Dublin protest will kick off at 1pm at the Garden of Remembrance on Parnell Square.

Details of the other demonstrations taking place are available below.

The protests follow new figures from AA Ireland released this week showing that it currently costs the average motorist €750 more than last year to fill their petrol car for the year.

According to the automotive services company, petrol prices have increased by 11.5% in the last two weeks, rising from an average of €1.91 per litre to €2.13.

Meanwhile, another report this week from the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) found that recent energy inflation has increased the estimated share of households in energy poverty to nearly 30%.

The institute defines energy poverty as households that spend more than a tenth of their net income on energy, including electricity but excluding motor fuel.

Based on energy inflation observed from January 2021 to April 2022, it is estimated that 29% of households are in energy poverty, a figure above the previously recorded high of 23% in 1994/95.

The report also states that energy inflation during this period increased the cost of estimated households’ consumption by €21.27 per week, on average.

This figure rises to €38.63 per week when motor fuels are included.

“A new ERSI report shows that one-third of households are now in energy poverty. That’s 550,000 households,” the Cost of Living Coalition said in a statement.

“Yet the Government still insists they are taking no action until October. We need to take to the streets.”

LISTEN: You Must Be Jokin’ with Aideen McQueen – Faith healers, Coolock craic and Gigging as Gaeilge