57. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the additional supports he is considering to help families cope with increasing home-heating oil prices. [65816/26]

Oil markets are responding to developments arising from the conflict in the Middle East and the Government is extremely conscious of the impact that the global spike in oil prices is having on people and businesses across the country. Lower relative taxes, compared to petrol and diesel, make Irish home heating more sensitive to price increases in the international wholesale benchmark price.

In terms of home heating oil, I provided for a reduction in the NORA levy from 2 cent per litre to a nominal amount from 1 April to 31 October. The planned carbon tax increase (due 1 May) has been deferred until Budget 2027. In addition, the Fuel Allowance season was extended by four weeks until 1 May 2026 in response to rising fuel costs. The measures provided additional support to approximately 470,000 households. Furthermore, the weekly Fuel Allowance rate was increased to €38 from January 2026, and eligibility was expanded to include recipients of the Working Family Payment. Further information is available on https://www.gov.ie/en/department-of-climate-energy-and-the-environment/publications/energy-supports/.

The National Energy Affordability Taskforce has been established by Government to identify, assess and implement measures that will enhance energy affordability for households and businesses while delivering key renewable commitments and protecting security of supply and economic stability.

The NEAT continues to work intensively on an Energy Affordability Action Plan which will be focused on short, medium and longer term measures to support households and businesses in meeting their energy costs. It will be built around 4 key pillars:

• addressing the price of energy;

• sustainable demand and enhancing flexibility;

• addressing energy poverty and customer protections; and

• energy affordability for businesses.

The Action Plan will be submitted to Government in the coming weeks and will inform measures for consideration in Budget 2027. Publication of the Action Plan will follow approval by Government.