Taoiseach signals end of energy credits

By Cillian Sherlock, PA

There are no plans to continue energy credits or introduce a new cost-of-living package in the next budget, the Taoiseach has indicated.

Energy credits were included in last year’s budget in October as part of the Government’s response to inflation and cost-of-living challenges.

It was announced that all domestic electricity customers would get €250 off their electricity bills through two instalments. Similar measures had been announced in previous budgets.

However, Taoiseach Micheál Martin ruled out continuing the measure by saying another cost-of-living package would not be a part of the next budget.

Previous budgets included one-off additional payments for those receiving a range of other allowances, such as child benefit, disability allowance and fuel allowance. There were also tax measures including the renters’ tax credit.

Mr Martin did not specify if these measures would be affected.

He told RTÉ radio on Sunday: “We’re not going to have a cost-of-living package this year, that’s the Government view.

“We will endeavour through the budget, through the various mechanisms we have from social protection to tax – to help people.

“But inflation has come a way down.”