Claire Kerrane (Roscommon-Galway, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the opportunity to speak to the motion and commend People Before Profit on bringing it forward this morning. As we all know, energy costs have been increasing consistently in the past number of years and families and households are now facing their highest ever electricity and heating bills in many cases. We have heard much talk in recent weeks about the fuel allowance and any increase in this is of course welcome. However, we must also consider that the fuel allowance is extremely limited.

Many people lost their jobs both before and during the Covid-19 pandemic. There is a 15-month waiting time for access to the fuel allowance for those on jobseeker's allowance. Workers who have paid their taxes and are out sick from work on illness benefit cannot access assistance with their fuel costs. Those on low wages being topped up by the working family payment also cannot access fuel allowance. All of this must be considered on top of the increases that are so desperately needed in the fuel allowance.

In a major study earlier this year, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul indicated that nearly 20% of working people are cutting back on fuel and electricity due to costs. We have people at work who cannot afford their electricity and heating bills. We must see measures such as a discretionary fund to help with the costs of those who are locked outside the fuel allowance. This is a suggestion we brought forward in February, eight months ago, when we wanted this Government to take action with respect to heating and electricity costs.

A report published by the Economic and Social Research Institute, ESRI, published last August concluded that increases in fuel prices for homes through a carbon tax would increase the portion of people experiencing fuel poverty. A Department of Social Protection report from July 2020 concluded that low-income households would be disproportionately affected by carbon tax increases. How can the Government knowingly increase that tax in the knowledge that those at the bottom will suffer? I urge the Government to back this morning's motion.

See this speech in context