Ossian Smyth (Dún Laoghaire, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

In response to Deputy Griffin, I accept that we need flexibility. We are not taking a rigid ideological approach on this issue. It is important to think about our long-term future and what we will be doing in ten years' time, but we also need to think about what is happening next month and whether people can make their bills for that month. We must be open to that. I am willing to discuss the issue with the Deputy at any time. He is right that it is also a matter for the Minister for Finance. I will talk to him about it.

In response to both Deputies, I would say that the one thing everybody can do is either consider switching energy suppliers or contact their energy suppliers and say they are considering doing so. Customers can save hundreds of euro on their bills by doing that - much more than the €100 that we are going to give account holders in the first quarter of next year.

On the issue of working from home, a tax relief has been brought in for people's energy costs in working from home. I ask Deputy Higgins to ask her constituents to look at that. It should also be considered that there are reduced commuting costs when working from home. It is not easy. People need extra space to work from home, and not everybody can do it. I understand that.

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