Laois TD shown electricity bills of over €900 for householders

A Laois TD has called on the Government to provide a Spring Bonus for people struggling with the cost of living.

Deputy Brian Stanley called for support for proposals, put forward by Sinn Fein party Finance spokesperson Pearse Doherty, for a Spring Bonus for those relying on social welfare payments, including workers, pensioners, people with disabilities, carers and lone parents.

“The time for action is now, the Government need to implement such a proposal, along with additional necessary measures to alleviate the burden on those bearing the brunt of the cost-of-living crisis,” he said. 

“Renters in Laois / Offaly need urgent relief as the amounts being demanded by landlords hit a new high. In the past year, average rents for new tenancies in Offaly are up 15.6% to €1,302 per month and in Laois by 12.8% to €1,292.”

“Government should implement Sinn Féin’s tax credit proposals of 8.5% (1 month’s rent) and implement an emergency three year rent freeze,” he said. 

"Households are struggling with record energy bills, rising food costs, rack rents and increased mortgage repayments. 

“Laois/Offaly constituents have shown me electricity bills of €900 plus in the past fortnight,” he remarked. 

"Our proposals call for the Government to commit to the payment of a ‘Spring Bonus’ for those relying on social welfare payments including pensioners, people with disabilities, carers and lone parents. This would include low paid workers in receipt of the Working Family Payment in the Fuel Allowance scheme. Once again, the government has been too slow to act,” said Dep Stanley. 

“In Budget 2023, Ministers Paschal Donohoe and Michael McGrath failed to protect people on lower and fixed incomes from rising inflation and the growing cost of living pressures, while social welfare rates were cut in real terms given the current rates of inflation,” he said. 

"Almost 595,000 people, 11.6%, in this state now live on incomes below the poverty line, while the latest Barnardo’s report shows that food poverty is worsening with 10% of parents forced to use food banks in 2022 and 29% reported skipping meals to ensure their children could eat,” said Dep Stanley. 

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"Average gas bills have gone up by around 140% over the past two years, while the average electricity bill has increased by around 115%. The ESRI estimates households in energy poverty have increased to 29%, a record high,” he added.  

"That is why we believe a ‘Spring Bonus’ is necessary for those bearing the brunt of this crisis,” he concluded.