Marian Harkin (Sligo-Leitrim, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank Sinn Féin for bringing forward this motion, which contains a number of very sensible and doable proposals. I want to address some of the remarks from the Minister, Deputy Eamon Ryan, who has left us. He quite rightly informed us of the global and European situation which is worsening day to day as Russia not only sends drones to murder people in their homes, but also deliberately and systematically attacks energy installations in Ukraine. He also told us of the many supports put in place in the budget. They are real and substantial for many families. His list sounded impressive, but it is important to say that many families will not qualify for the majority of targeted supports. The extra payment for those on fuel allowance, for example, is very welcome, but the vast majority of family carers will not be able to avail of that because carer's allowance is not a qualifying payment for fuel allowance, despite the fact that people caring for older persons have the heat on all the time.

For some families, the safety net will hold for now, but there is a cohort of families on low to middle incomes who are in real trouble and will not be able to pay their bills. They include, for example, the civil servants who have retired on class D pensions. Many tens of thousands of people, mainly women, have pensions marginally above the State pension, but will not be able to avail of any of these targeted measures. They will only be able to avail of the universal measures, which will not be enough. The electricity bills landing on people's mats right now are frightening, but for some they are truly terrifying. I refer to those who have always paid their bills and want to continue to pay them, but know they will not be able to pay them in full. Those people cannot be disconnected. Many of the people on pay-as-you-go often have no choice as this is the system in the rental properties they live in. The Taoiseach told us clearly that nobody would be disconnected this winter and spring. I want to know whether the Taoiseach and Government can deliver on that promise, which I believe was made in good faith.

I do not often give specific examples to make a general argument, but something I heard in recent times stopped me in my tracks. An older man with a lower income had a budget in place, with help from MABS, to try to help him to manage the huge increases in costs over the coming months. He was advised to use the €400 extra in the fuel allowance to buy a few hundred litres of oil. Despite the best efforts of his adviser, he resisted and said he would instead spend it to put a headstone on the grave of one of his children. I know this is not everybody's story, but it illustrates that those on low incomes have no flexibility and some of them will find themselves without light and heat this winter. People have to know that their heat and light will not be turned off. I ask the Minister of State to confirm the words of the Taoiseach, namely that there will be a moratorium on disconnections.

The Government cannot use the Society of St. Vincent de Paul and MABS as a mudguard. They are already overstretched and trying to assist people in financial distress. Community welfare officers are overrun. Speaking of exceptional needs payments, apart from the fact that such payments are complicated and difficult to get, the Government seems to forget completely that community welfare officers are totally overstretched. They are dealing with many more new requests. More people need help, but there are no new officers in place. In fact, some are leaving the service, and those on sick and other leave are not being replaced. There is pressure in the system, yet Ministers are telling some of our most vulnerable people to add to that pressure. That is not fair because it is not working.

Further action is needed. We want a windfall and solidarity tax to be put in place immediately. We do not have to wait for the EU. Legislation must be introduced to give the CRU powers to regulate standing charges on energy bills. What is happening is a rip-off. A moratorium on gas and electricity disconnections must be introduced immediately.

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