An increase in electricity and gas prices could push many working class families over the edge into poverty this winter, according to David Gardiner, Workers’ Party representative for Palmerstown-Fonthill. Gardiner said: “This latest increase from Electric Ireland amounts to around an extra €15 a month for most households and this is on the lower scale with some provider increases amounting to as much as €800 a year. The reason given for this increase is the cost of wholesale energy. That frankly is not a good enough reason.”
“Only as recently as this August we saw a hike in the cost of electricity by 9% and gas by 7.8% from Electric Ireland. Do they really think workers are going to be able to afford yet another increase when they are already struggling? The increases are not selective to Electric Ireland, with SSE Airtricity and Bord Gáis Energy also increasing their prices. This is just not sustainable and coupled with pressure demands on the grid we are in the middle of an energy crisis.”
“Marguerite Sayers, Executive Director of Electric Ireland, was recently quoted as saying that workers should seek help from the St. Vincent de Paul if they are unable to afford their bill. It’s clear that the energy sector needs to be nationalised so that the profit element is taken out of the provision of energy to ensure that workers can afford to heat their homes and not be forced to choose between providing heat or food for their families this winter.”
