Social Democrats TD Eoin Hayes has written to Tánaiste Simon Harris, urging him to include an emergency payment for people with disabilities in the package of cost-of-living measures that will be announced by the government tomorrow.
The Dublin Bay South TD said, “as the US and Israel’s attacks on Iran and Lebanon continue, surging gas and oil prices have deepened the energy crisis for families in Ireland and across Europe as sky-high prices climb even higher.”
“Energy poverty and its associated financial strains can cause real harm. Disabled people already face higher, unavoidable energy costs, and they will be among those hardest hit by rocketing prices.”
Hayes said “the government cannot afford to take a minimalist and untargeted approach as huge energy pressures mount. A €400 emergency payment for disabled people must be among the measures that are introduced tomorrow.”
“The government consistently says that supporting disabled people is one of the government’s major priorities – but they have failed to back their rhetoric with action. Quite the opposite, given they cut the incomes of disabled people by up to €1,400 in the budget.”
Hayes said he has written to the Tánaiste, asking him to include a €400 support for disabled people – which Hayes says “should have been introduced months ago, at the height of winter.”
“Disabled people are among those most at risk of poverty and require higher and more consistent levels of energy use – to stay warm and charge equipment. They must not be left with the impossible choice between heating their homes, maintaining their health, and meeting other basic needs,” he said.
“Including this measure in the package that is signed off by the cabinet tomorrow is a vital step to protect those most at risk from this ongoing energy crisis.”