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

Listening to the Deputy's contribution, somebody would be forgiven for thinking we had done nothing at all this year. We have taken a lot of action this year, including increases in the State pension, weekly welfare payments and the minimum wage. We are currently in negotiations with public servants about pay increases for them. A lot of pay increases are happening in the private sector at the moment. The Deputy mentioned students. We have made changes to the SUSI grant which will kick in in September. All of these measures have been taken in recent months. We are working towards additional actions on budget day that will make a difference in terms of helping people with the cost of living.

The Deputy mentioned the ESRI report. The ESRI is a Government body, and calculates energy poverty based on the number of people spending more than 10% of their after-tax income on energy. It is not the same as living in consistent poverty or being at risk of poverty or deprivation. It is a particular means of calculating it. Around 30% of households are now experiencing energy poverty, which shows that it is not just those on the lowest incomes who can experience energy poverty. Those on middle incomes can also experience it. That is why I stand over the decision of this Government to introduce universal measures as well as targeted measures. Those on middle incomes, working families and middle-class people are also feeling the pinch. That is why I stand over the decision of this Government to bring in universal measures such as taking €200 off electricity bills, as well as targeted measures such as the extra €100 for people on the fuel allowance. I think that will be the approach we will adopt going forward. We will introduce universal measures to help everyone, because everyone is hurting, and targeted measures to help those who are hurting most, namely, pensioners and people on welfare.

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