The government has signed off on a €1.3 billion package of cost of living measures. This includes €200 of bonus welfare payments, a €100 child benefit top-up, more supports for businesses to meet energy costs, and an extension of the lower VAT rate of 9 per cent for the hospitality industry.

Kieran was joined by Newstalk’s Political Correspondent Sean Defoe to talk through the key points of the announcement.

Claire Kerrane, Sinn Fein TD and party spokesperson on social protection and Elaina Fitzgerald Kane, Chair of the Irish Tourism Industry Confederation joined Kieran to analyse the measures.