Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)

The exceptional needs payment available for this year is approximately €90 million. There is also the installation scheme but that is a separate issue and I want to return to the question asked by the Deputy in the first instance on the carbon tax to be introduced this year and her final question on the fuel strategy for last year. An interdepartmental group on energy affordability has been established and that will address both issues. We are conscious of the fact that a carbon tax on heating products will come into effect from May but it will be September before solid fuels come in. We should have a targeted response but we must find the most efficient way to target and administer it.

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