Pa Daly (Kerry, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I see that the significant reduction of 24% is due to the absence of the energy credits. I think the Minister would accept that energy costs are huge at the moment. In real terms, household energy bills are not decreasing. In fact, they are still about 70% higher than where they were three years ago. Gas prices are close to double previous levels. We discussed this in one of the earlier committee meetings this afternoon in the context of the amount of standing charges. A figure of €250 or €300 was mentioned. Households are paying around €900 per year more than they were before Russia invaded Ukraine. Ours is, I think, the second most expensive country in Europe, at 38% more than the EU average. The cost of living and energy bills are one of the most urgent issues to be addressed by the Government. What is the Minister doing in the Estimates to try to attack the high cost of energy bills?