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

The answer to the Deputy's question is "Yes" but because of how pay-as-you-go works, we have to find a viable mechanism to achieve exactly that. The energy credit is €600. In addition to that, people can overrun by €20 without being disconnected. They cannot be disconnected at weekends and we are looking at mechanisms to make sure we can extend the treatment that bill-pay customers have to pay-as-you-go customers. I believe it can be done.

I can understand why the Deputy does not want to talk about the Sinn Féin alternative budget. I have done some research on that. Take the fuel allowance, for example. Sinn Féin committed to a €5 increase in the fuel allowance. That would be worth €60 to the least well-off people in our society between now and Christmas. We are providing a €400 lump sum. For the working family payment, Sinn Féin would have provided nothing.

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