Energy bills and household support
Deputy Carthy said many families are struggling with energy bills and that current supports are insufficient. The Taoiseach defended the measures taken, warned against widening inequality, and pointed to the impact of global conflict on prices.
I welcome the Fermoy active retirement group to the Visitors Gallery. They are guests of Deputy Noel McCarthy and are very welcome.
Comment on this
Cuirim fáilte. I am really worried about the number of families I am meeting who are struggling with their energy bills. We know 315,000 households are currently in arrears but there are tens, if not hundreds, of thousands of others who are literally struggling just to pay their bills every month. The Taoiseach has to acknowledge that what his Government has done is not enough to help them. There is a growing divide between those who have the resources to be able to retrofit or put up solar panels and those who do not and who are meeting ever rising bills.
It is especially in the context of the Minister, Deputy O'Brien, suggesting there could be increases in energy costs of 8% or more. Does the Taoiseach accept now that the Government has to do something to support ordinary families with the cost of electricity?
Sinn Féin has advocated for the reintroduction of energy credits but it is not good enough and it cannot be good enough for the Taoiseach to tell people to wait until next year's budget or to say what we are currently doing is enough. Families are under huge pressure and they need the Government's help.
Comment on this
The Deputy said he was concerned about a growing divide. His solution would actually widen that divide for those on the lowest incomes. We have taken measures. The excise duty reductions help everybody by definition.
Comment on this
We will deal with electricity costs. Three tankers were attacked this morning in the Strait of Hormuz. This is a very serious war. The Deputy keeps talking as if the war did not exist. We do not know where this might lead to. We were all hoping, two or three days ago, that we were heading for a peaceful resolution of this war. Three ships were attacked this morning in the Strait of Hormuz so nothing can get through. Imagine the impact that will have on prices. The Deputy's view is to spend everything now. We want to support families. We have to make sure we can support families and support them substantially in the latter part of the year as well.