Jennifer Whitmore (Wicklow, Social Democrats) | Oireachtas source

I move amendment No. 4:

In page 5, between lines 17 and 18, to insert the following: "(5) The Minister will establish a committee to look into ways by which future schemes, in relation to the provision of electricity costs emergency benefit payments, are allocated in a targeted manner direct at individuals most vulnerable to fuel poverty or who are financially vulnerable. The Committee shall include, but not limited to,representatives of the Commission for Regulation of Utilities, the energy industry, and poverty and disability groups.".

Essentially, what this amendment does is it makes sure that the Minister establishes a committee to look at ways by which future schemes relating to the provision of electricity costs emergency benefit payments are allocated in a targeted manner that are directed primarily to individuals vulnerable to food poverty or who are financially vulnerable. Importantly, the committee shall include, but is not limited to, representatives of the Commission for Regulation of Utilities, the energy industry, and poverty and disability groups. What we have often seen is that these groups are completely forgotten when it comes to developing policy on energy or many environmental matters.

I have spoken at great length on why I and the Social Democrats believe that this is necessary. In December 2021, when the mechanism of providing an electricity credit to individuals was first discussed, it became clear very quickly that it was not targeted. When this was raised with the Minister and the Government, the reason given was that we did not have time. We were told that the mechanism had to be rolled out to people very quickly because they were suffering. Unfortunately, despite the Government's rush with the legislation, it still took five or six months before the money reached people's electricity accounts. We were told the measure could not be targeted because the Government did not have time to figure out how to do it. Twelve months later, the Government has produced another Bill, which is essentially a duplicate of the first one, and again the measures are not targeted. The excuse that there was not time to get it right is no longer valid. There has been a year for the Government to plan, prepare and to put in place a mechanism either through the credit scheme or some other mechanism. The Government should have used the past year to make sure that taxpayers' money was being targeted at whoever it was intended to support. I do not believe the Government has a magic porridge pot when it comes to money. There is not a never-ending supply of it. Therefore, we do need to make sure that it is reaching the people who are suffering most as a result of the sky-rocketing energy prices. We do not know how long the energy crisis will continue. It could be for the next year or the next two years. We must make sure that money is available in the coffers to help people as we go forward.

A total of €1.7 billion has been allocated by the Government either through this scheme or the previous one earlier in the year. Out of the €1.7 billion, €500 million will go to people who have holiday homes; €34 million will go to households that are in receipt of income of more than €200,000; and €170 million will go to households where there is income of more than €120,000. That is the definition of a non-targeted payment. I have spoken to many people who are in those salary brackets. Every time I have said to them that they too will be in receipt of the €600 or €800, they have turned around and said they and their family do not need it. They find the energy crisis difficult, and they know things are going up in price but it is not a matter of survival for the family. There are many families in energy poverty at the moment - some 50% of households in this country.

For many families, this is a matter of life or death or of whether they will get to feed their children or have a comfortable and secure Christmas. The Social Democrats believe that is where the Government's money should have been targeted.

We heard earlier about domestic violence rates and the crisis for many families in the country, in particular women, when it comes to that issue. In 2020, 43,500 calls were made to the Garda regarding domestic violence incidents, yet just €9 million was allocated to the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre in the budget this year. When we compare that €9 million with the €50 million the Government is giving to people who own holiday homes, who are by their nature wealthy people given they own at least two homes, I think we can see where it is prioritising the wrong people. Similarly, just €1.5 million was given to the LauraLynn foundation, our only hospice for children. I can never understand why a hospice, especially one for children, constantly has to go out fundraising. It is only in recent years that the Government has given it some money, and while that is welcome, it is just €1.5 million a year. When we compare that paltry figure with the €50 million that will be given to people with holiday homes, or with the €34 million that will be given to people who earn more than €200,000, we can see what the problem is.

I do not think the Government should ever again use the excuse that it did not have enough time to ensure these schemes would be targeted, and that is why I have tabled this mechanism amendment. It is not acceptable. The Government needs to use its time properly and plan. There is a likelihood we will revisit this scheme or a similar one in the next year and the Government needs to be prepared for that. It needs to ensure it will get to the right people when it provides this money.

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