Dáil debates

Wednesday, 14 September 2022

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions

 

2:45 pm

Photo of Micheál MartinMicheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

We also increased the fuel allowance by 55%. That was a massive increase last year. Measures taken related to school transport fees, the school meals programme being extended and the back-to-school clothing and footwear allowance. The student maintenance grant payments went up by €200 per year. There was the holiday earnings disregard and so on for students. We did a range of measures. We cut public transport fare by 20% with an additional 50% cut in fares for young people, reduced VAT from 13.5% to 9% on gas and electricity bills until the end of October and gave a €200 energy credit to all households. The PSO was cut. The national retrofitting scheme, with free energy upgrades for those at risk of energy poverty, was initiated. We lowered the threshold for the drug payment scheme to €80 per month, benefitting over 70,000 families, and brought forward the working family payment budget increase announced on budget day. We abolished inpatient charges for children and much more. The point is we did not stand still throughout last year. We took measures.

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