Sinn Féin TD Louise O’Reilly has criticised the Commission for Regulation of Utilities for signing off on a yearly rise of €41 in the component of electricity bills.
The Dublin Fingal West TD, who serves as the party spokesperson on social protection, said “we know that over half a million households across the nation are in energy arrears with almost 320,000 homes behind on electricity specifically; €41 extra is only part of the picture – these charges have increased almost €200 in the past three years alone and people are not any better off now than they were then.”
“These charges are the exact kind of tariff that impacts people struggling most in our society: lone parent families who are stretched thin and households with one or more disabled members or working families, especially those with older children who face major additional needs,” she said.
O’Reilly stated, “in my offices I see this all the time – people who are working hard but can’t keep up with the cost of living.”
“The reality that this government is ignoring is that people have nothing left to give. These charges here and there, year on year, add up and all the while people’s purchasing power is diminishing as they pay some of the highest electricity prices in Europe.”
“We need to see serious cost of living measures in this forthcoming Budget, particularly for households with disabilities, one-parent families and where people are struggling.”