Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour) | Oireachtas source

So far this winter we have escaped with relatively mild weather conditions, although it is very cold this morning. Last winter was one of the worst in living memory. The Government has reduced the term during which the fuel allowance is payable and the allowance has effectively been wiped out by the 33% increase in the price of gas. The Minister will be aware that the price of a standard bag of coal has increased by 10% to 15% and that there has been a 20% increase in the cost of a bale of briquettes. As energy prices continue to rise and with one third of elderly people living alone, what is the Minister doing to address this problem?

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