Jennifer Whitmore (Wicklow, Social Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

In the Minister's statement, he said the Government has taken action to provide further assistance to those who are most vulnerable to the effects of the cost-of-living crisis and then he referred to a range of measures, including the €600 electricity credit. I have been very vocal about the fact that I do not believe this represents good expenditure of taxpayers' money. There should have been a more targeted approach rather than a universal one.

Regarding a similar scheme earlier in the year, the Minister said it was not being targeted because there were difficulties with targeting. We have had much time since then to come up with a better approach. Why did the Minister decide to make it a universal payment this time? Has an economic analysis been done of how much money will be given to people who I do not think warrant being paid on foot of an emergency measure such as this? I refer to people who may have holiday homes. Equally, has this measure been climate-proofed? Providing this payment in this untargeted and universal fashion means that these funds will be given to people as an energy subsidy. This is contrary to our climate action policies and the Government's stated position in this regard. I would like a comment on these aspects.