Energy bills and supports
Deputy Doherty raised severe electricity bill increases for elderly and low-income households and urged extra support. The Tánaiste outlined existing energy credits and payments, while the exchange continued with sharp disagreement over whether vulnerable customers faced disconnection.
Yesterday my colleague Deputy Guirke raised the case of Kitty, who is from Trim in County Meath. I am sure the Tánaiste has heard her story. She is over 100 years old and received an electricity bill of almost €1,000 for the past two months. Like so many others, Kitty is being absolutely fleeced. Yesterday I received an email from a woman named Christina who works part-time. She earns approximately €250 week in the best of weeks. Her bill has increased and increased. She sent a message saying she could not cope and asked us please to help. She is being asked to pay €622 for the past two months. There are many other people such as Kitty and Christina.
Last month the Government made a decision not to provide any further meaningful supports with regard to energy costs. The energy that will be consumed next month and the month after will not be supported by the Government. Households are continuing to pay extortionate bills. They are being absolutely fleeced. They feel they are being short-changed by a Government that will not introduce the same type of certainty available in many countries throughout Europe.
Comment on this
On behalf of Kitty, Christina and many like them, I ask the Tánaiste to change course and provide support for these families with regard to their electricity bills.
Comment on this
To be fair there is no doubt about the impact of the energy crisis on people's bills and the challenges it presents. There will be an energy credit in the March and April period of up to €200. There is also the doubling of the free fuel allowance and various payments. We have an additional payment for pensioners over and above the energy credit. There will be a payment in April of a further €200. When we look at the overall picture, approximately 3.5% of GNI, which is more than €9.5 billion, plus the measures we took last week, have been allocated to households. This is €4,500 potentially per household on average. It is probably one of the largest government interventions in the energy crisis across Europe.
Comment on this
What should Kitty do? Should she turn off the lights or not do the washing?
Comment on this
No one in those situations will be disconnected and Deputy Doherty knows that. Let us not put fear among people unnecessarily.