High utility prices means families cannot take 'shock' of cancelled energy credits, opposition says

Simon Harris took aim at Sinn Féin finance spokesperson Pearse Doherty for Dáil contributions by himself and other Sinn Féin TDs which suggested that SuperValu was owned by an American multinational

Figures published by the Commission for the Regulation of Utilities show the number of households in arrears on their electricity and gas bills has jumped by 70,000 in the last year. File picture

The Government has been criticised for ruling out a cost-of-living package in October's Budget, with the opposition saying people need assistance because of the high price of food and energy.

The Government has repeatedly ruled out the prospect of such a package being included in this year's Budget, arguing that the rate of inflation has eased and the threat of US tariffs make the future finances of the country harder to predict.

However, Sinn Féin finance spokesperson Pearse Doherty told Thursday's leaders' questions that figures published by the Commission for the Regulation of Utilities "lay bare the hard realities that folks face". 

Mr Doherty said the figures show the number of households in arrears on their electricity and gas bills has jumped by 70,000 in the last year, which means there are now more than 300,000 households behind on their electricity bills and more than 175,000 households behind on their gas bills.

"The Tánaiste should let that sink in for a moment. Today as the Dáil breaks up for the summer, hundreds of thousands of working families cannot meet their bills for heating and lighting their homes. That is disgraceful. 

Is it any wonder when we have seen their bills shoot up by hundreds of euro in recent years? Families simply cannot absorb this type of shock to their finances and now the Government's plan is to cancel the energy credits that they so desperately need and relied on.

"The Government digs in and continues to refuse to agree to have a cost-of-living package in October's Budget.

"These are the people the Tánaiste claims to understand. He told the Sunday Independent at the weekend that he understands what working families are going through - that he gets it. If he genuinely got it, he would understand that runaway electricity and gas bills are putting massive pressure on households. If he genuinely got it, he would do something about that."

In response, Mr Harris said the Government had taken more permanent measures to alleviate pressures on families, saying that from September, every child who goes back to primary school or secondary school will receive free schoolbooks and every primary school child is now getting free hot school meals.

"Specifically on energy, on this Government coming to office, we took a decision to extend the 9% Vat rate on gas and electricity, a real practical measure to help people with gas and electricity bills. We put in place a 40% reduction in the renewable electricity PSO levy. That has been announced and it will also save people money on their electricity bills. 

"We have significantly expanded the fuel allowance so that thousands more people, particularly older people, will qualify."

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Mr Harris said there "is an air of unreality about Deputy Doherty's contribution" and took aim at the Donegal TD for Dáil contributions by himself and other Sinn Féin TDs which suggested that SuperValu was owned by an American multinational.

"Deputy Doherty spends a lot of his political career standing up and saying the Government does not get it. It does not understand, it is out of touch. You know what I know? I know who owns SuperValu.

"The deputy thought it was owned by an American multinational and he wants Paschal Donohoe's job? He wants Paschal Donohoe's job and he does not even know who owns SuperValu or cannot even use Google. Give me a break."