The Government\u2019s refusal to introduce a \u20ac400 targeted energy credit for vulnerable households struggling to heat their homes is inexcusable, according to Social Democrats TD Eoin Hayes.<\/p>\n
Deputy Hayes, who is the party\u2019s spokesperson on social protection, said:<\/p>\n
\u201cIn the D\u00e1il today, I challenged the Taoiseach on the rising levels of poverty being experienced in our older population. According to CSO data, the consistent poverty rate last year for those living alone and aged over 65 was 9.6 per cent \u2013 nearly 1 in 10. That\u2019s a near doubling from 5.2 per cent in 2024.<\/p>\n
\u201cOver 30 per cent are at risk of poverty, according to the figures.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis Government is turning a blind eye to the senior citizens who are struggling to heat their homes, opting to stay in bed longer to save on gas or home heating oil. This is particularly shameful when you consider the scale of Ireland\u2019s budget surplus.<\/p>\n
\u201cFamily Carers Ireland have also pointed out that none of the 34 supports promised in the Programme for Government have been delivered, including a cost of disability payment \u2013 something the Social Democrats have been repeatedly calling for.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere are now more than 320,000 electricity accounts in arrears, which is why we have also called a \u20ac400 energy credit for households with incomes of less than \u20ac70,000. This would help ease the burden of soaring electricity bills for disabled people, pensioners and family carers.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is deeply regrettable that the Taoiseach refused to agree to our proposal when I asked him to consider it today.\u201d<\/p>\n
April 29, 2026<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" The Government\u2019s refusal to introduce a \u20ac400 targeted energy credit for vulnerable households struggling to heat their homes is inexcusable, according to Social Democrats TD Eoin Hayes. Deputy Hayes, who is the party\u2019s spokesperson on social protection, said: \u201cIn the D\u00e1il today, I challenged the Taoiseach on the rising levels of poverty being experienced in […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":16348,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[796,834,772,7,721],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-17557","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-eoin-hayes","category-pensioners","category-poverty","category-press-release","category-social-protection"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n