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dioxide and fine particulate matter as the two pollutants most responsible for poor air quality in Ireland. The burning of solid fuels in homes is the primary source of one of these, PM2.5. That means there can be no excuse for burying our head in the sand … know that the carbon tax increase was set for May because that is when people are least likely to be filling up their home heating tanks and things like that. Investing properly in clean energy infrastructure both on the macro level and through individual household supports will

rise of fuel costs; and — an extension of the fuel allowance season to help the most vulnerable with the cost of home heating; — a range of protections are in place for customers experiencing difficulties in paying their bills, anyone who is struggling with their bill is strongly encouraged … incomes. Those on lower incomes can access the warmer homes scheme, which I will talk about in a moment. Looking at how we have broken those grants down, it is now a retrofitting passport. For the 250,000 homes that have already been retrofitted, including

profits driven by war, international instability and global energy shocks. Profits are generated because families have no choice but to pay to heat their homes and do whatever it costs to keep their lights on. Just two months after increasing prices for over 1 million households … they see these types of profits and executives receiving enormous pay increases while profits continue to soar. The most recent analysis of major oil companies found that the world's eight largest oil firms amassed $93 billion in profits during just three months of the recent conflict involving

beyond our shores, but nonetheless they have real consequences here at home. We have seen a rapid and sharp increase in the cost of fuel at the pumps, increased transportation costs and increased costs of home heating, all placing a real strain on our day-to-day expenses … have done with regard to home energy upgrades. In the past five years, we have seen almost 5,000 homes across Offaly upgraded for home energy. This is a county where, in the last census, up to 50% of homes outlined that they had a dependency on fossil

reducing the excise by 27 cent a litre on petrol and 32 cent per litre on diesel, 7.4% in terms of marked oil, and other measures we took in terms of hauliers, contractors and so on. The cost of that was €1.3 billion and they are still … lower than any of that. It is about 2 cent – that is the increase that will come - and we are looking at the home heating component of the carbon tax in terms of kerosene and gas because we realise that home heating is critical for pensioners

worst effects of this unprecedented crisis, which the International Energy Agency itself has said will have a worse impact than the 1970s oil crisis. We in Labour certainly are not saying that. In many respects, the inability of households to absorb this latest energy shock can be traced … even greater level those who depend on the State for their income and who spend a disproportionate amount of their income on heating their homes and on food and groceries. There are also the issues the Government has created for PAYE workers, those very same working people

views and priorities. We must work within that framework. There is no doubt that the current crisis with regard to the cost of oil and petrol is having a real impact on people’s lives. We need to have an approach similar to the way the European Union … practical impact on people’s lives. We have talked about solar. The big difficulty with the transition from, let us say, gas heating in a home to something like a heat pump is that people are relying on the expense of electricity. There is no easy technology transfer

enables homeowners, including non-corporate landlords, to borrow between €5,000 and €75,000 at significantly lower interest rates to complete a home energy upgrade. The Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment, together with the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland, continually keeps grant schemes under review, including … Regulations 2019. They specify requirements in relation to a range of matters, such as structural repair, sanitary facilities, heating, ventilation, natural light, fire safety and the safety of gas, oil and electrical supplies. Responsibility for the enforcement of the regulations in the private rental sector rests with local

people who desperately need to heat their home who cannot do so now. They are trying to add a bit of timber to that and every bit of old turf, if they will not be arrested for bringing home a bag of it. They are the genuine people … choice in the matter, but they will not be able to do that now either. They will not be able to fill the oil tank and they will not be able to buy the bag of coal. That is some legacy that the Government will leave. The Government

deferral of the planned increase in carbon tax, scheduled 1st May until October 2026; and — reductions in excise duty, including the National Oil Reserves Agency levy reduction with effect from midnight on 14th April and will run until 31st July, 2026; — Government will also be establishing … rise of fuel costs; and — an extension of the fuel allowance season to help the most vulnerable with the cost of home heating; — the Government has established the National Energy Affordability Taskforce, to identify and implement additional measures that will enhance energy affordability for households and businesses while

other country. We are surrounded by water. That is where wind energy comes into play. We could have strong potential of an oil field off Barryroe. That was not researched, and when I spoke to the Taoiseach yesterday, he said von der Leyen told … wrong there, because that will close down the country within two weeks, maybe less. There are ways. We saw what happened with the home heating. A lot of people are very angry about that. We are talking about the fuel allowance, but still 1.5 million people

under pressure. The war in Iran has created economic turbulence and instability. Energy markets are out of control, driving up the cost of oil. The cost of energy dictates the price of everything. That is the reality that this budget had to deal with. In all, I believe … know of many older people living alone, often older women, who depend on a modest pension. They face the same cost of heating a home for one as for two. Increasing the single income threshold will bring more people into the fuel allowance scheme. The increase

risks posed by geopolitical instability and our over-reliance on imported fossil fuels. Equally, we know the importance of ensuring households can heat their homes, hospitals can operate, businesses can function and that our entire energy system remains stable in times of crisis. None of us dispute that … renewables and it is now largely insulated from the recent fossil fuel price shocks because it is not importing quite so much oil and gas. This is the sort of effort we want to see here and I would gladly support the Government in such efforts. What

freeze it, We don't eat out, We've cut our food portions smaller, We've agreed that when we run out of oil we won't be refilling it. I look online and see my fellow nurses living it up in Australia wondering if we made … years as she uses her annual leave to do agency work, should not be in this situation regarding buying food, turning on the heating and meeting friends. For some time now, the Social Democrats have been putting forward proposals and asking the Government to implement them. We have

also provides for the deferral of the planned 1 May carbon tax increase on certain mineral oil fuels, including kerosene heating oil and marked gas oil. Sections 3 and 4 also deal with the deferral of the carbon tax increase for natural gas and solid fuels. The decision … under budget 2020, the Government has ensured that revenues raised are transparently and purposefully recycled. These investments have funded energy efficiency upgrades in homes and communities, supported decarbonisation across agriculture and transport and underpinned just transition measures. The allocations for 2026 were determined as part of budget

Finance, the Tánaiste has ignored the very reasonable and modest request for €400 emergency payment in order that people can pay their winter heating bills. He has lectured workers, disabled people and carers that he has to be responsible and careful with the State's finances. Of course … that regard over two years ago. Without a price cap, the cuts will be quickly swallowed up by the further increases in oil prices caused by Trump and Netanyahu's illegal wars, which the Government still has not condemned despite all of the talk of standing

March and April of this year. Amendments Nos. 2, 3 and 4 effectively propose to end carbon tax trajectory at current rates. Mineral oil tax comprises a non-carbon and a carbon component, commonly referred to as the carbon tax. That is the difference. When we talk … heating and transport, as well as electricity. The directive sets out minimum levels of taxation applicable to these energy products for specific uses. For diesel used as a propellant, the minimum rate is €330 per 1,000 litres, exclusive of VAT. The total rate of mineral oil

open up the Strait of Hormuz. This will see a huge increase in the supply, which will, hopefully, bring down the cost of oil even further. We, therefore, have to be agile and responsive to what is happening on the international stage because this is what is affecting … benefit they have derived, they will speak about the improved quality of life in their homes and the huge reduction in what they are spending weekly, monthly or bimonthly on energy to heat their homes. That is a permanent support for people at risk of energy poverty

energy budget, one that focuses on an immediate response but also long-term measures to allow people to have a home, to heat that home, to put food on the table and to commute to work. It should have been a budget with short-term measures that give … about energy transition contained in the Tánaiste's speech, there is nothing in this budget to help households reduce their use of expensive oil and gas. In last year's budget, the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland, SEAI, was allocated €640 million for home retrofit. The Minister

Energy Authority of Ireland, SEAI, warmer homes retrofit or whatever. Previously, they would have been able to apply for housing for older people supports from the local authority but now the only thing you can get if you want an oil or gas boiler is a refurbished boiler … that in a perfect scenario we would be dealing with brand-new builds that are airtight and looking at air-to-air-type heating systems that work perfectly in those sets of circumstances, although that is very difficult to do from a retrofit point of view. The fact

National Oil Reserves Agency, NORA, levy pending further relief. Financial Resolution No. 1 defers the 1 May carbon tax increase on MGO, kerosene, heating oil and other relevant fuels until 14 October next. Financial Resolution No. 2 provides for the deferral for the planned 1 May increase … kerosene, natural gas, solid fuels and other relevant non-propellant fuels. It has always been our policy to delay carbon tax increases on home heating fuels until 1 May each year. This allows for the passage of the winter heating season with the vast majority of fuel purchased

since 1990, despite an increase in housing stock during this time. Residential usage of coal, oil and gas declined by 13.5%, 4.6% and 5.2%, respectively, on 2024 levels, while energy used by heat pumps increased by 21.9%. However, the EPA also said that annual emissions need to fall … this are funded from carbon tax. Since 2019, SEAI schemes have provided over €1.8 billion in supports to homeowners for over 268,000 home energy improvements. This includes over 36,000 fully funded upgrades for households at risk of energy poverty. As the House will be aware, those

Government must expedite investment in our renewable energy infrastructure to insulate us from the worst impacts of the turmoil of a world oil supply shock. In the long run, the only way to prepare for future energy shocks is to invest substantially in our energy infrastructure. Offshore wind … also from a societal point of view. The Government will fail dismally to meet the retrofitting targets of 500,000 home retrofits and 400,000 heat pumps by 2030. These schemes must be ramped up considerably and delays under the warmer home scheme - a very good scheme

NORA. Between €2 billion and €3 billion was supposed to be paid into it since 2007 or 2008. My understanding is that the oil reserves are not just in Ireland, but we have a deal with someone else. The way NORA is set up needs more explanation … bring in legislation today to basically get rid of the NORA levy, there is no reason we cannot do the same for the home heating sector and the agricultural and building sectors. I spoke to a groundworks contractor in Dublin this morning who is working at houses. Every

important to emphasise that there will be no cliff-edge effects for consumers; rather, the restoration of pre-March 2025 mineral oil tax rates will be done in a gradual and phased way. The motion also calls for an end to increases in carbon tax. However, as Deputies … energy grant schemes. This allocation will support 73,000 home energy upgrades to make homes warmer, healthier and more comfortable, with lower emissions and lower bills. The allocation also includes a record €340 million for the warmer homes scheme, which provides fully funded upgrades for those in energy