Fuel allowance and household supports
Deputy Higgins asks for expanded fuel allowance and other targeted help for families facing inflation. The Taoiseach says specific measures are still being worked on and will be announced shortly.
As the Taoiseach knows, the prices of everyday essentials and utility bills have risen substantially. In January inflation hit a high of 5% right across the eurozone. The people and families I represent need a targeted suite of measures to help to ease the burden on their household budgets. We need to help people. We need to help low-income families and our squeezed middle who do not qualify for welfare support. Can we extend and expand the fuel allowance scheme? Will the Taoiseach bring forward social protection measures that are due to come into effect in June? How will this Government help families?