Thomas Gould (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

We talk about the rising cost of fuels and worry about the upset this is causing people. I am being contacted by people who worked on the front line during Covid-19 wondering if there are any details on when and to whom the bonus will be paid. While Ministers are kite-flying about further restrictions to the eligibility, people are waiting on this and are relying on it in some cases. There are still no clear signs of when they will get it and who will get it. These decisions need to be planned by the Government before being announced. Announcing that there will be a bonus is not good enough. The Taoiseach spends much of the time trying to find ways to blame Sinn Féin and discredit our proposals. His time would be better spent asking his Ministers not to get people's hopes up with half-planned schemes and confusing announcements. Will home helps be entitled to the bonus? Will those working in the addiction sector on the front line be entitled to it? Will those in the disabilities sector who worked during the pandemic be entitled to it? Many other sectors feel they should be entitled to the bonus because they worked through the pandemic on the front line to keep this country and our people safe. People risked their lives for the State and this is the thanks they get.

Will the Government look at how the electricity credit will be applied to those with hardship meters? They are some of the most vulnerable people and they have to top up by €10 each time before they get €100 because there is a limit on it. It will cost them €30 to get the €200 bonus for electricity that everyone else gets for free. Is that fair? Many of these people are struggling and need help. We should not put up barriers to this for people who are vulnerable and who need and deserve it.

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