Joe McHugh (Donegal North East, Fine Gael)
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Question 108: To ask the Minister for Finance if a person who receives a State disability pension is exempted from carbon tax on home heating oil; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18658/10]

Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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I announced in the Budget that a carbon tax at a rate of €15 per tonne was introduced on fossil fuels. The tax was applied to petrol and auto-diesel with effect from midnight, 9 December 2009; and applied from 1 May 2010 to kerosene, marked gas oil (also known as 'green diesel' or 'agricultural diesel'), liquid petroleum gas (LPG), fuel oil and natural gas. The application of the tax to coal and commercial peat is subject to a Commencement Order.

The only reliefs from the carbon tax are for those companies that participate in the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS).

A number of Government Departments, including my Department are exploring options for how best to offset the impact of the carbon tax on low-income households. A number of options are being explored including improving the energy efficiency of low-income households which will help offset increases in fuel prices arising from carbon taxation.