M J Nolan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)

I ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs to look seriously at this issue. Figures published today indicate a year-on-year increase of 50% in the numbers on the live register. In the current economic downturn, increasing numbers are likely to fall into the net of fuel poverty. The Department must take serious action to address this. In the context of the upcoming budget, I ask the Minister to remember those less fortunate than ourselves.

See this speech in context