Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I appreciate that Deputy Healy is talking to constituents who find the price of electricity and fuel difficult to afford. These prices have risen enormously in recent years internationally, so that is reflected in Irish prices as set by the regulator. Ireland's older population, however, has the lowest rate of consistent poverty, at 1.9% compared to the whole population rate of 6.9%. As a group compared to the rest of the population, the elderly are least likely to be in poverty for reasons I have explained to Deputy Ó Snodaigh. Our rate of social welfare payments to families with children, and also to our older citizens, is significantly in the higher end of the range across Europe. We have been able to maintain that despite the economic difficulties visited on us by the promissory note arrangement that was entered into by the last government, which was very costly for this State. It is greatly to our credit that we have been able to renegotiate this as the Labour Party suggested when we were in opposition.

We are now changing from a units-based to a cash credit arrangement on a monthly basis. Some 40% of electricity customers and 20% of gas customers in Ireland have switched supplier and as a consequence have got the benefit of various discounts. When it comes to customers on social welfare, however, only 16% have switched.

One thing I would like to do is where there are attractive offers that would reduce people's heating bills, they should be enabled to take advantage of such offers if they wish. The old system was not as flexible as the new system will be.

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