Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

We will look at those matters in the context of the budget. We are all very aware of the increasing cost of fuel and how it is impacting on families, consumers and businesses. The fuel allowance kicks in again from next week. In the context of the budget, we will look at the rate and the issue of widening eligibility to cover more people. We did that in relation to the pandemic unemployment payment last year so it would not be unprecedented to do so. I have not heard of the suggestion before of a discretionary fund. It sounds like a very good idea. I am not sure that €5 million would be enough but I know that if it was more than €5 million, the Deputy would not object. We will certainly have regard to this in the context of the budget. The Government is not under any illusions about how serious this issue is and how worried people are about the rising cost of fuel. They are much more worried about it than about some of the issues that take up too much time in this House.

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