The full effect of rising cost of living will not be felt until next Autumn, Galway TD Seán Canney warned recently.
Speaking in the Dáil this week, Deputy Canney said the carbon tax and excise duties need to be taken away in order to combat rising fuel and fertiliser costs, as well as extending PAYE tax credits.
“I also contend that we will not see the full effects of what we are talking about today until next autumn when the harvest comes in from our agricultural products.”
“I have spoken to builders providers, farm suppliers, farmers and agricultural contractors who all believe the effects of increasing costs and scarcity of fertiliser will not be properly seen until next autumn.”
“A building provider told me last night that he is not buying in any more fertiliser because the next pallet he buys will cost him €500 more than the one he bought last week,” Seán Canney said.
His comments came during a debate on a motion brought forward by Sinn Féin calling for additional financial supports to combat rising energy and fuel prices.
He said that energy independence and retrofitting homes to be more energy efficient are good medium term solutions, but that others measures need to be delivered “as a matter of urgency”.
Galway West TD Claire Kerrane, who proposed the motion, said that the government has “overemphasised” the fuel allowance in this crisis, as it is unavailable to many vulnerable people.
“A person out sick from work on illness benefit cannot get the fuel allowance. Someone who is on a low income and relying on the working family payment to top up that income cannot access the fuel allowance.”
“A couple or older person with a small occupational pension does not get the fuel allowance.”
She added that energy efficiency and retrofitting are of no use to people who cannot pay their bills today.
