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

Once again, nothing the Minister stated will help the families who face huge increases in their energy bills this winter. The Minister mentioned energy efficiency. That is all well and good. The Minister also mentioned the SEAI and the warmer homes scheme, which is probably the most popular scheme, but to be eligible for that you have to be in receipt of the fuel allowance. That is fine, but that is not going to help families this winter. The Minister has not been able to point to any particular support that is there. She regularly mentions the exceptional needs payment. I would ask her to look at that because I was contacted last week by two constituents, from both ends of my constituency, who sought a payment for fuel from the local community welfare officer, CWO, under the exceptional needs payment and they were given €200. The local oil provider would not come out for any less than €300. There are discrepancies there. We do not know the figures in regard to the number of people seeking help from the CWO and the numbers being refused. I ask the Minister to look at all of that.

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