Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy for his questions and comments. It is important to recognise what the Government did during the acute phase of the cost-of-living crisis. We transferred over €1,500 to 2.2 million households, and that was a cost to the Exchequer of €3.3 billion. It was the most significant energy support any European country gave any of its citizens and it did help. There will not be energy credits in this budget. I want to look at a more sustainable way forward, and that is why I have established the task force on energy affordability, which I chair, with all stakeholders across the State, looking at things like the structure of the bills and how, through things we can control ourselves, we can drive down energy costs. When average incomes across the European Union are compared, Ireland is about the eighth most expensive country in Europe.

The figures that the Deputy gave at the start are correct in relation to the increase in gas and electricity prices. That task force, which I chair, will report back on an interim basis in advance of this budget. We will be looking at measures. There are a couple of things in place. I want to see the 9% VAT rate retained for electricity. That provides for a saving of approximately €92 per year. We have seen a 40% reduction in the public service obligation, PSO, levy announced last month. It was a small reduction, but a reduction nonetheless.