Fuel and energy costs
Deputy Healy-Rae warns that projected fuel-price pressures will affect retailers, haulage and households. The Taoiseach says Government is examining energy supports while considering food production, transport and wider economic impacts.
I thank the Taoiseach; the Minister, Deputy Carroll MacNeill; the Ministers of State, Deputies Butler, Buttimer and Moran; and all of the other people who took time out from their busy schedules during the summer to come to County Kerry. Those meetings, those groups and delegations they met, were not photo opportunities; they were about work and about business in Kerry. I am grateful for all of that time, and I appreciate it.
As a retailer of fuel over many years, I have seen the broadsheets' projections for the next few days on what fuel is going to cost retailers and it is stark. I have a suggestion. As the Taoiseach knows, we had a fuel subsidy scheme in the Department of agriculture. Not all of that has been drawn down. The money is there. It is in a box. It is there, sidelined for this issue. The scheme has now been shut. I have met many people over a number of weeks. Could that scheme be opened again for farmers and contractors to avail of it - people who were not in time and for different reasons did not get it?
Comment on this
I thank the Deputy for his kind comments in respect of my visit to Kerry during August to meet various groups, particularly in the disability sector, and the schools and so on. We learned a lot from that about policy and how to approach issues.
The Government is looking at the entire energy question in the round, in respect of what is the most effective way to reduce the pressures for people. The food production system is important for food security, as is the haulage system because it gets goods to the markets. It gets them through ports. The economy depends on an efficient haulage system and it is also puts food on the shelves of supermarkets, etc.
We are looking at everything in the round regarding what is the most effective targeted way to help people. Through the social protection system, we want to target those on the lowest incomes, particularly children in families with very low incomes. We will look at all options in respect of this. The fact that many did not avail of that scheme suggests that we need to look at it.