Sinn Féin has called for the return of energy credits after it was revealed that 301,379 households are in energy arrears. 

During the cost of living crisis, sanctions on Russian oil and gas sent energy bills soaring. 

The Government introduced a number of measures to mitigate the impact of surging inflation, including universal energy credits for households. 

With inflation now under control, the Government has indicated that there will be no energy credits in this year’s budget. 

It is a decision that Sinn Féin has urged them to reconsider. 

“The sun is shining,” TD Louise O’Reilly told Newstalk Breakfast.  

“People aren’t putting their heating on; if that isn’t sounding an alarm bell in Government Buildings, then I don’t know what will, to be honest with you.” 

Hands of an elderly pensioner holding a leather wallet. Picture by: Alamy.com 

Deputy O’Reilly added that the sheer number of people struggling to pay their bills means the Government urgently needs to re-think its budget plans. 

“The message is very clear, they have said there will be no energy credit supports - which they said previously were necessary,” she said. 

“Now, when we have a record number of people who are in arrears, the Government are saying no. 

“That somehow they’re doing something that might happen in the future.” 

“What [people] want to hear from the Government is there’s going to be a cost of living package because the cost of living crisis is not over.”

A pensioner dressed up warm. Picture by: Yon Marsh / Alamy Stock Photo. 

Also on the programme, Fine Gael’s John Clendennen said the Government had “stood by” families during the energy crisis. 

“Where there is engagement with customers that are in distress or have arrears, they will find solutions with their suppliers,” he said. 

“If you look down deeper into the figures, we have around 300 people in the country that have seen disconnection. 

“So, there have been solutions found in the past.” 

Deputy Clendennen continued that the Government now wants to move away from “short-term solutions” to energy poverty. 

With that in mind, the National Energy Affordability taskforce has been set up. 

“I think we need to let them go and do their work in advance of the budget to determine what we need to do in the short, medium and long-term,” he said. 

“No one is doubting that there is a challenge in relation to the cost of energy in Ireland compared to our EU counterparts.”

Main image: A pensioner. Picture by: Alamy.com.