Labour call for fuel allowance extension to protect households
Labour call for fuel allowance extension to protect households - The Labour Party
- Extend fuel allowance by four weeks
- Provide double social welfare payment
- Cap prices of home heating oil
- Targeted energy targets needed
Labour’s social protection spokesperson Mark Wall TD has criticised Government’s failure to address the enormous cost of living crisis facing households following the outbreak of the war in Iran.
Deputy Wall said delays are impacting people’s pockets:
“We can’t allow families and households to be left in the cold and vulnerable to the spike in prices that we have all seen since the US and Israel constructed a war in Iran. However families have been feeling the pinch long before last week, which is why the Labour Party called in its Alternative Budget last year for a suite of targeted measures to support those most exposed to increased prices and costs.
“The Government can right its wrong, and bring in targeted measures now through the social welfare and income tax system to address the pinch points people are feeling.
“We are urging government to provide for an additional four weeks of fuel allowance and a double social welfare payment to offset some of the pressure households are facing.
“The case for a targeted energy income credit of €400 to support households with incomes of less than €80,000 is clear and needs to be acted on to keep people out of arrears on their bills. We know that there are over 320,000 families already struggling to pay their bills. This needs to be addressed urgently.
“There has been real and significant price gouging happening in the days immediately after the start of the Iran war.
“We know that Government has powers to investigate price gouging and anti competitive behaviour in energy markets. Those investigations must happen and any wrongdoing must be dealt with decisively. But investigations will take time, and people cannot wait while their heating bills continue to rise. That’s why we need action now.
“Labour called on Government last week to use of maximum price orders to tie the actual cost of home heating oil to suppliers. Ministers can set a maximum price on home heating oil today.
“That price should be what it was last Friday, 27th February, before these opportunistic increases. The companies involved already know how much kerosene will be required over the coming months. Much of that stock is already on hand.
“Ministers are taking to the skies for St Patrick’s Day visits but that is no excuse to avoid remote work for the people who are relying on Government to intervene and address this. We are seeing prices rise on an hourly basis. People need supports and Government must act now to help.”