Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees

Wednesday, 25 September 2019

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action

Carbon Tax: Discussion

Dr. Tricia Keilthy:

For people on very low incomes, purchasing a heat pump or electric car is not an option. In the transition phase, there need to be protections for such households, which may be worse off as a result of an increase in the carbon tax. I understand the ESRI research shows that the best way of doing that is by increasing maximum social welfare rates and tax credits for those in low-paid work.