Pearse Doherty (Donegal, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

More than one third of homes across the State use home heating oil as their primary heating source. This rises to two thirds if you look at the border region, including my own county of Donegal. More than half of households in the south-east and western regions use home heating oil as their primary heating source. In the past two months, the average price of home heating oil has increased by nearly 30%, adding €240 to the cost of filling a tank. We know there is volatility in the international markets, as I have mentioned. However, there is a real risk these prices could rise further. Action can be taken to support them, and that is the point. It can be taken by reducing excise duty on home heating oil. In our alternative budget, Sinn Féin has shown how reducing the rate of excise on home heating oil on budget day, by €63 per 1,000 litres until the end of March, could reduce the prices to households at a cost to the State of €44 million. There are proposals. If there is a will, the price of home heating oil can be cut by €63 per fill in the upcoming budget. Is this a policy measure the Minister would consider?

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