Ken O'Flynn (Cork North-Central, Independent Ireland Party) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Ceann Comhairle. According to media reports, the Government will not allocate energy credits this year in the coming budget, thereby ending the cost-of-living supports package. The energy providers are introducing increases of 31 cent per day, according to SSE, or €113 per year. While the Government cites the Ukrainian war as an inflation factor, carbon credits are adding €140 per year to the average gas bill. Many elderly people are facing financial hardship. The planned pension increase this year is €12, while the Government plans to give jobseekers €450. Electricity prices have gone up 19% in the past year, according to The Irish Times, while the price of gas has gone up by 22%.

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