TD for Dublin Mid-West, Eoin Ó Broin has demanded that the government act now to help people with the cost of living crisis. Teachta Ó Broin’s comments came as Sinn Féin spokesperson on Social Protection Claire Kerrane recently published the results of the party’s survey on fuel costs. Over 10,000 people took part, and their personal testimonies expose the shocking reality of the financial pressures ordinary workers and families face every day while the government refuses to act.
Teachta Ó Broin said: “The government must act urgently to ensure workers and families get a break from the exacerbating cost of living crisis. “More than 10,000 people took part in Sinn Féin’s survey to share their stories of how spiralling fuel costs are affecting them. “Their sobering personal testimonies expose the shocking reality of how this issue is affecting people every day. It is clear that despite the government’s refusal to act, people need help urgently. “Families across Dublin-Mid West are struggling with rising fuel costs. 89% of respondents to the Sinn Féin survey said that increased costs have impacted their ability to get to work or to do other necessary activities for their families.
“There is no escape right now as people are being hit financially from all angles- rent, electricity, gas, food, petrol, and just about everything else” “Sinn Féin spokesperson on Finance Pearse Doherty has repeatedly called on the government to engage with the EU commission to remove VAT on energy bills for an initial three months. We are also urging them to remove excise duty from home heating oil. “A cost of living payment of €200 to households earning less than €30,000 and of €100 to households earning €30,000 to €60,000 would also help families struggling to pay their bills in this cost of living crisis. “Sinn Féin spokesperson on Social Protection Claire Kerrane is again calling on the Government to establish a Discretionary Fund to support households who are struggling with utility debt, and we need to see the Fuel Allowance extended to those in receipt of the Working Family Payment.
“In addition, we are calling for the existing 30-hour eligibility rule to access the Exceptional Needs Payment to be relaxed on a temporary basis. As it stands, anyone working more than 30 hours per week is locked out of the scheme. “We are also calling on the government to introduce a ban on rent increases, a refundable tax credit for renters and build 8,000 real affordable homes per year, to help make a real impact on this crisis.” “These are clear, common sense actions the government could take to give workers and families the break and the breathing room they need. “People need help urgently now. They can’t keep waiting. This government must act now, not kick the can down the road until the Budget in October.”
