Guirke - Government must do more to cut food costs for Meath shoppers

high and ordinary workers and families are struggling toaffordtheirshopping.”

Meath River Rescue are hosting a COFFEE MORNING

WHEN: Saturday , June 17th, from 10am until 3pm.

This is to raise funds for Meath River Rescue, a voluntary organisation made up of around 20 swimmers and divers (Rescue and Recovery) who are based in Beechmount Home Park and who totally rely on publicdonations.

VENUE: Herbert's Cottage, Churchtown, Dunderry. Eircode C15XF84.

COST: €10

EMPEROR EVERYONE

085 7829966

Sinn Féin TD for Meath West Johnny Guirke has said that the reduction in the price of food items by Tesco shows that more could always have been done by supermarkets to help customers in the face ofpricehikes.

Hehascriticisedthegovernment for failing to tackletherisingcostofliving and urged them to act so that hard-pressed people in Meath get a break.

TeachtaGuirkesaid“The cost of living is out of control and people in Meath are stretched beyond their limits. Food costs are sky

“The reduction in the price of food items by Tesco shows there has alwaysbeenscopeforsupermarkets to reduce the cost of items. Let’s be clear, these reductions are happening because of public pressure not due to the government who have failedtoact.”

He continued “Experts including the European Central Bank highlighted that corporate profiteering was contributing to price rises as firms used inflation as an excuse to increase profit margins. We need transparency on this urgently.”

“Solutions must ensure the recovery of unfair profits,inordertocutfood prices.Consumersneedto seefoodpricesgodownat the tills, so that their bill is reduced to affordable levels.”

“Meanwhile, the governmentshouldworkwithsu- permarkets to ensure substantial price cuts on everyday essential items. This has been done elsewhere in Europe and can bedoneheretoo.”

“When passing on these savings, supermarkets, large producers, and large food corporations should in no way try to squeeze primary producers and family farmers, who are also under significant pressure.”

Deputy Guirke concluded “The slowness of government to act on food prices is shown in other areas; including energy costs, housing costs and mortgage increases. We needtoseemeaningfulaction to bring costs down for workers and families acrosstheboard.”

“The cost of living crisis is hitting people very hard from all sides and the government must ensure workers and families in Meath get a much-needed break from spiralling costs.”

Know Your Rights: What is Partial Capacity Benefit

If you have reduced capacitytowork, the Partial Capacity Benefit scheme lets you return to work or self-employmentandkeep gettingapaymentfromthe Department of Social Protection(DSP).

How do I qualify for Partial Capacity Benefit?

To qualify for Partial CapacityBenefit,youneedto be currently getting either Illness Benefit(for a minimum of 6 months) or the InvalidityPension.

Your restriction on your capacity for work will also be assessed. It must be assessed as either moderate, severe, or profound to qualify for Partial Capacity Benefit. If your restriction on capacity for work is assessedasmild,youwillnot qualify.

How much can I get?

Partial Capacity Benefit is madeupofapersonalrate for you and may include increases for your quali- fied adult and qualified children.

The personal rate is based on:

� Theassessmentofyour restrictiononyourca pacityforwork

� WhetheryougetIllness

BenefitortheInvalidity

Pension

� Yourcurrentrateofpay ment

If you get an increase for a qualified adult or child, this is paid at the same rate. The conditions for payment of increases are the same as those that applied to your Illness BenefitorInvalidityPension.

There are also secondary benefits if you qualify for Partial Capacity Benefit, such as keeping your enti- tlement to Free Travel if you were entitled to this previously while getting InvalidityPension.

How will going back to work affect my disability or illness payment?

The DSP has produced aBenefit of Work Estimatortool on welfare.ie for people getting disability andillnesspayments.

This can help you to assess the financial consequences of taking up work and claiming Partial CapacityBenefit.

How I do I apply for Partial Capacity Benefit?

To apply, you must complete aPartial Capacity Benefit application form (pdf) and submit it the DSP.

You should include all relevantmedicalevidence. A medical assessor will then assess your capacity for work, so you may be asked to attend a medical assessment.