Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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At this point the Government has not decided on any additional one-off or temporary measures. We have indicated it is likely there will be some but the budget is still three months away. It will be a matter of judgement closer to the time, given the circumstances we face, such as inflation and the cost-of-living pressures people are under come October. The pathway in relation to changes in wholesale energy prices and prices for energy customers will be a consideration. We are three months away from the budget and we will take a view closer to the time about what may be appropriate. Last year we were in a different space. Inflation averaged more than 8% across last year. It is now about 5.5% and falling but we are conscious that price levels remain really high for individuals. No decision has been made but it is likely there will be some measures.

On how they will be funded and the spread of time for their application, no decision has been made as to whether they will be immediate or spread over a period of time. Last year, some were within year, 2022, and others were provided for in the following calendar year but we are not at the point of making that decision. It would be funded with additional in-year expenditure for any expenditure that occurs within 2023. It is not the case that we will have to raise additional discretionary revenues to fund it.

We are conscious, of course, that the Minister for the Environment, Climate, and Communications, Deputy Eamon Ryan, is bringing in measures in this regard, including a temporary solidarity contribution in respect of fossil fuels and a market cap on non-gas electricity generators. This will raise some revenue this year and some more next year. We have committed that this revenue will be recycled and returned to people either by way of reduced market charges or by Government decisions to introduce different measures.