he Minister for Finance, Paschal Donohoe, has warned that energy credits will not become a permanent solution and will not be included in the next budget.
He confirmed that the Government will focus on targeted measures to support those most in need.
In a recent Dáil session, it was revealed that workers and families will continue to face rising energy costs over the next five years.
Sinn Féin’s Health Spokesperson, David Cullinane, raised concerns, stating that hundreds of thousands of people are currently in energy arrears. “How on earth are people going to face the increases that are coming down the track?” he questioned the minister.
Donohoe acknowledged that the government is aware of people’s concerns but added that these challenges would not be addressed by “cynical politics”.
Energy credits worth €250 were included in last year’s budget in October as part of the government’s response to inflation and cost-of-living challenges.