Leitrim comment- new measures will 'help the most vulnerable to heat their homes'

Measures to reduce the cost of fuel for Leitrim consumers as well as those around the country will be applied quickly and "provide the Government with flexibility to adapt our response, if required. They will assist people at the petrol pumps, help the most vulnerable to heat their homes, and ensure critical supply chains can continue to function," a local Minister said.

On fuel costs, there will be a 20 cent reduction in excise duty on a litre of diesel, 15 cent on a litre of petrol, and a 3 cent cut in excise on a litre of marked gas oil (green diesel) until the end of May.

In addition, the NORA (National Oil Reserves Agency) levy of 2 cent on a litre of petrol, diesel and home heating oil will be paused for two months - meaning overall an effective cut of 22 cent per litre of diesel and 17 cent per litre of petrol.

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The reductions in excise on auto fuels and the pausing of the NORA levy will mitigate the cost of a fill of a 60-litre tank by some €10 for petrol and €13 for diesel. This will assist all transport users, including commuters, business and farmers. The 3-cent reduction in marked gas oil (green diesel) supports farmers and agricultural contractors.

There will be a four-week extension to the fuel allowance season meaning 470,000 households, including pensioners, carers, people with a disability and lower-income working families will get help with the cost of heating their home.

There will be an enhanced diesel tax rebate scheme backdated to January to assist hauliers and keep the country’s supply chains functioning. It will also apply to bus operators.

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Sligo/Leitrim Minister of State, Frank Feighan said: "Given the current level of volatility, no Government in the world can shield people from the full impact of the war, but this package will be a start and will help consumers. The longer the war continues the greater the challenge with impacts on inflation, economic growth and household income.

Since the outbreak of this conflict, the Government has been engaging extensively with our EU counterparts. What is clear is the need to avoid knee-jerk responses and instead focus on informed sensible measures like those we have announced."

In conclusion Minister Feighan said, “The Government is acutely aware of the impact on households and businesses of the recent increases in fuel prices. That is why we are taking action to help with targeted and time-bound measures”.