Hundreds of people have marched to the Dáil, calling on the Government to impose radical change in the upcoming Budget. 

Organised by the Cost-of-Living Coalition, members of the Union of Students in Ireland (USI) and members of Sinn Féin and People Before Profit marched from Parnell Square to Leinster House. 

The group is calling for a range of measures in Budget 2024, including a €25 increase in pension, social welfare and disability payments. 

It is also calling for a rent freeze, the eviction ban to be reintroduced, an increase in Child Benefit to match inflation, and the abolition of student fees. 

Protestors at the Cost of Living demonstration, making its way through the city to Leinster House, 07/10/2023. Image: Sam Boal/RollingNews.ie

The Coalition said reductions to energy costs don't match the massive increases over the last year, and living standards are being cut. 

Spokesperson Eddie Conlon said the expected Budget measures to be introduced by the Government won’t be enough. 

“The talk of a €12 increase in pensions and social welfare, it's just not acceptable and will not be enough,” he said. 

“Workers also need a pay increase which at least matches the rate of inflation.” 

Protestors at the Cost of Living demonstration, making its way through the city to Leinster House, 07/10/2023. Image: Sam Boal/RollingNews.ie

At the protest, USI Vice President for Campaigns Zaid Albarghouthi said the priorities of the Government are “deeply mismatched”. 

“We end up with a student accommodation crisis that could only be solved with vulture funds posing as students accommodation providers entering a market that they've been allowed to enter by our Government to charge the students up to €1,400 a month,” he said. 

“Our students are constantly losing their dignity, sleeping in cars, couch surfing, while our Government tells us that eventually this market will work and the prices will go down.

Protestors at the Cost of Living demonstration, making its way through the city to Leinster House, 07/10/2023. Image: Sam Boal/RollingNews.ie

“As long as these people are in government buildings, we will never have an accessible government education system that values the dignity of students.” 

Budget 2024 is to be announced on Tuesday, worth €6.4 billion, with the details expected to be finalised by ministers and party leaders this weekend.