Eamon Ryan says that households can expect a new electricity grant before Christmas as electricity and gas bills continue to soar in price.
A €200 payment was previously issued to households back in April in an effort to tackle the cost of living crisis. And the Minister for the Environment revealed on Wednesday that another grant will also be issued to households this winter.
He also hit back at claims that a mini-budget should have been called during the summer to examine the implications of rising electricity costs for Irish households. He told reporters outside Cabinet that the decision to wait until autumn to assess the situation had been proven correct.
READ MORE: Energia becomes latest gas and electricity provider to announce major price hike
Minister Ryan said: “We held back. A lot of people were arguing we should have done a mini Budget in the summer and we said at the time ‘no’, because the time this is going to hit is the late autumn/early next year.
“So I think it was absolutely right for us to hold our fire, to wait to see what the real situation was in the autumn, and that’s when we need to provide supports. That’s the right time to do it.”
He brought his first memo on energy reductions this winter to Cabinet on Wednesday, the first of many that are believed to be written by the Minister in the coming weeks and months.
Mr. Ryan also confirmed that the government would directly help businesses struggling with electricity costs in the winter months, which could potentially double in price. The Department of Enterprise will provide supports to businesses with soaring energy bills by drafting up proposals on this shortly.
The government’s response to the energy crisis will become more apparent following Budget 2023 and the release of plans for energy reform from the European Market.
READ MORE
'Struggling' Liffey Valley staff in uproar over new car parking fee
Mum saves hundreds by ironing Nike logos onto Penneys clothes for teenage son
RTE Joe Duffy callers give clever tips to reduce energy bills including egg trick
The surprising items that are forcing costs to 'shoot up' for local bakery
The Square in Tallaght to stop free parking from next weekend
Sign up to the Dublin Live Newsletter to get all the latest Dublin news straight to your inbox
