Aisling Dolan (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

With the budget coming up, we are all looking to the supports that will be put in place. It is really important that we look at the fuel allowance, which the Minister for Social Protection, Deputy Humphreys, has been reviewing. This is hopefully something that we will look at next week.

Along with the supports we put in place for individuals and those who are most vulnerable, it is crucial that we also support businesses. We have all heard this. In our towns, even this morning, businesses have mentioned that they are looking at bills of up to €70,000 just in respect of fuel and heat alone.

The Government has done so much over the past two years in terms of the supports that were put in place through the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment. Those supports were there to assist employers and employees during a really difficult period. With the budget, we need to ensure that we continue that type of support for businesses in order that there is some assistance provided.

There are also incentives around how we can try to manage our fuel costs in the time ahead, particularly around looking at peak hours between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. It will be crucial that the Government look at whatever measures it can put in place, particularly in respect of electricity use during those peak hours.