Budget 2024 is being unveiled today when all the details of next year's €6.4 billion package will finally become clear.
The Government has promised that it will be fair, with Tánaiste Micheál Martin saying he hoped that young people and people in their 30s will be able to see that mechanisms will be in place to protect their quality of life into the future.
Youth organisations have repeatedly pointed out that many young people continue to struggle to make ends meet in the cost-of-living crisis.
They say that the pandemic impacted their mental health and social connections.
We asked three members of the National Youth Council of Ireland to tell us what they would like to see in Budget 2024.
"I'd like to see this budget address the climate crisis and biodiversity crisis," Jill Pitcher Farrell, 25, said.
"I'd like to see the Government announce a Budget with long-term thinking, that’s not just about this year or the next election cycle, but that really thinks about the next 15-20 years, looks ahead to 2050 and 2100 - how are we going to be living then and what are the steps to take now to do that."
Jill is from Dublin and lives just outside Limerick City.
"Part of me would love to have the accessibility to move back up to Dublin, but it’s too expensive," she said.
"Even though I'm not far outside the city, public transport isn’t really an option, there aren’t the routes and there’s no way for me to get to work in the morning on time via public transport. It would be great if they extended the discounted travel cards to all adults because it would help to address the cost of living and create a more sustainable lifestyle."
In terms of her daily expenses, she says that her electricity bills have "crept up and up" and that she is really noticing how much money she is spending on fuel when driving to work.
"It’s even the cost of my weekly shop, it feels like the price has easily doubled over the last three years and I’m eating the same stuff. Then every time I go out, I notice the price of a drink and a meal out has gone up."
Niall Brady, 21, commutes to University College Dublin from his home in Carlingford, Co Louth, every day. He says the cost of living has "dramatically changed how I want to live my 20s".
"I'm living at home, I don’t have the funds to go and live in Dublin as part of my college experience, I’ve no other choice. The last bus going to my house is at 6pm, which doesn’t make sense coming from Dublin. If you’re working or want to go a night out, a bus just doesn’t exist," he said.
"After going through Covid, everybody would’ve thought life would’ve got better, but instead we’re being hindered by the cost-of-living crisis, we’re not free enough now because of the anxiety of thinking about budgeting and going to college."
Niall says he hopes to see a reduction in college fees in the Budget as he thinks it will "give students more hope that they can progress in Ireland."
Dean Murray, 24, is from Ballymun in Dublin.
"I'm lucky that I still live at home so I don’t have to worry too much about paying rent, but when it comes to money for buying lunch for work, you start to see the inflation even buying a roll in the shop. What used to be €3-€4 is now €6-€7 sometimes," he said.
"Even when we’re going out for food, it’s a case of trying to find somewhere you don’t need a mortgage to buy food."
Dean says he would like to see more supports for mental health services.
"Especially youth mental health, because I’ve seen the impact Covid has had on friends I went to college with. People should be able to better access those services."
He added: "I think its about Government showing support to young people and not something tokenistic like 'here’s a voucher' but something like giving extra pay in wages for young people and showing they care about young people and the future of Ireland."
