Taoiseach Micheal Martin has signalled the Government is
considering another bumper cost of living package next year.
He revealed the plans during an annual convention of Fianna Fail councillors in Dublin yesterday. Asked about further help for struggling households, he said: “We’ll take stock towards the end of spring.”
Mr Martin said: “I think more than €11billion has been allocated, which is very, very substantial, and we believe that we will get through the winter. And we will support organisations on the ground and communities on the ground in terms of particular issues that may arise in given communities.
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“We’ll take stock towards the end of spring, in terms of both the war in Ukraine in terms of where the energy situation is in terms of price increases, and the broader cost of living issue.”
Separately, a senior source at the Fine Gael Ard Fheis in Athlone, Co Westmeath, confirmed a second series of financial supports is under consideration.
He said: “We will take stock at the end of spring. We’ll see where we are then, but we won’t leave people in the lurch if things haven’t improved.”
Meanwhile the Government is also considering extending excise duty cuts on petrol and diesel in a bid to counteract rising toll costs for commuters.
Minister of State at the Department of Transport Hildegarde Naughton suggested the Government will also talk to Transport
Infrastructure Ireland about whether it would be possible to delay or scrap the increases.
TII announced this week from January 1, 2023, all drivers heading through a toll will be hit with increased charges due to the current rate of inflation in Ireland.
Speaking at the Fine Gael Ard Fheis, Ms Naughton said the Government must now engage with TII on the issue. When asked if the excise duty cuts could be extended to counteract the toll increases, she said it “will be part of the Government’s considerations”.
Minister Naughton admitted the TII’s decision to increase tolls was not coming at a good time and the Government will engage with the body on the charges.
When asked if there was anything the Government could ask TII to scrap or delay the increases, Ms Naughton said that “these are conversations that really need to happen now”.
She added: “We don’t want to do is give with one hand and be taking with another.”
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