The construction industry will be covered under the Government’s newest fuel support package, according to confirmation from the Tánaiste.
The fuel support scheme, which is due to be unveiled tomorrow morning, will also target sectors such as agriculture, quarries, haulage, and fisheries, reports RTE.
Opposition parties, however, have criticised the Government, claiming it is merely reintroducing measures that had already been agreed two weeks ago.
Speaking ahead of a Cabinet meeting, Tánaiste and Minister for Finance Simon Harris said supports would be introduced for “various vehicles and construction sites”, reports RTE.
He added that the “last thing” he wants is for construction activity to slow during an ongoing housing crisis.
Under the scheme, as many as 120,000 farmers and 1,500 full-time agricultural contractors are set to benefit from financial assistance, reports RTE.
When combined with previous excise reductions, the measures are expected to lower the cost of purchasing 1,000 litres of green diesel by €274.
The payments will apply to the period from March through to the end of July, reports RTE.
A total of €15 million has been earmarked for a fuel support initiative covering fisheries and aquaculture.
Government party leaders also agreed last night to include building contractors and quarries under a tailored support scheme, reports RTE.
Additionally, up to 50,000 vehicles, including buses, may qualify under the Road Transporters Support Scheme.
Estimates from the Department of Transport suggest that a typical haulage firm could receive around €16,230, reports RTE.
The Irish Road Haulage Association welcomed the measures, describing them as a significant acknowledgment of the financial strain on hauliers amid ongoing fuel price instability and wider supply chain issues.
Nonetheless, Labour’s Ged Nash argued that PAYE workers have been overlooked, while People Before Profit TD Richard Boyd Barrett called for urgent assistance for households struggling with bills, reports RTE.
Speaking before Cabinet, the Taoiseach said the measures would go a long way toward easing pressure on affected sectors.
He said supports for transport operators, farmers, contractors, and fishers would help relieve “some of the pressures that many in those sectors are under”, reports RTE.
He described the initiative as part of a wider package of measures being rolled out by the Government.
Mr Harris warned that the effects of the Iran war on Ireland are likely to be felt during the winter months, reports RTE.
He said that even if “the war ends now, and it hasn’t”, there will still be many people seeking assistance later in the year.
He noted that energy challenges tend to intensify in winter and said it is important for the Government to retain some capacity to respond.
He explained that the Government is trying to strike a balance, as people will be asking what supports can be provided in the coming winter, reports RTE.
When asked whether once-off energy cost measures could be introduced ahead of the Budget, the Tánaiste said it would be a “foolish government that would rule anything out”.
Government’s response to fuel crisis ‘tone deaf’ – Doherty, reports RTE.
Sinn Féin TD Pearse Doherty said the Government has once again failed to get its response right.
He said the Government “got this completely wrong”, arguing that the fuel crisis has pushed many families “over the edge”, reports RTE.
He described the Government’s approach as “tone-deaf” to the financial strain people are experiencing.
“They withdrew cost-of-living supports thinking that the cost-of-living crisis was over, it was far from over,” he said,
“Many were struggling, even before petrol and diesel, green diesel and home heating oil went through the roof,” he said, reports RTE.
He added that the fact that “one in four households can’t pay their gas bills” highlights a deeper systemic issue.
Mr Doherty said the latest package is the Government’s “second attempt” and does not match the scale of rising costs, reports RTE.
“The Government needs to bring forward an emergency budget without delay. That budget has to include energy credits to help with the cost of electricity, a social welfare package that will support those that are most vulnerable and it has to see cuts to the USC,” he said,
People Before Profit TD Richard Boyd Barrett said households are unable to endure further financial strain and need immediate support as many cannot pay their bills.
He said around “one in four people are in serious trouble or risk or suffering energy poverty”, reports RTE.
Mr Boyd Barrett said the Government is effectively acknowledging that its current measures are insufficient to shield people from the cost-of-living crisis.
He called for fuel and energy price caps, free public transport, and energy credits of “at least €500”, reports RTE.
Labour calls for mini-budget targeted towards PAYE workers
The Labour Party’s Ged Nash urged the Government to introduce a mini-budget focused on PAYE workers.
He accused the Government of applying “double standards” and said these workers, who he described as the backbone of the economy, are being neglected, reports RTE.
He added that there is “absolutely nothing” in the current package to support PAYE employees.
“It’s now that people need support,” said Mr Nash, reports RTE.
Cairns ‘extremely worried’ by possibility of economic shock
Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns said she is deeply concerned about the risk of an economic shock and its potential impact on vulnerable groups.
Speaking on RTÉ’s Today With David McCullagh, she said successive governments have failed to invest adequately in public services, reports RTE.
“At a time when we’re seeing such insecurity and such vulnerability, we’re still seeing the Government dangling tax cuts months out from the budget a time when we shouldn’t be destabilising our tax base,” she added,
The Cork South West TD said households earning under €70,000 should receive immediate support, including a €400 energy credit.
She argued that a major shift in Government policy is needed and said her party would prioritise investment in public services such as free GP care and genuinely free education, reports RTE.
She noted that her party supported the Government’s energy measures because of the urgent need for assistance.
Ms Cairns also said she supports the right to protest but does not agree with blocking critical infrastructure, reports RTE.
Call for incentives for rural dwellers to buy electric cars
Social Justice Ireland is calling on the Government to provide incentives for rural residents to purchase electric vehicles.
Speaking on RTÉ’s Morning Ireland, SJI research and policy analyst Michelle Murphy said grants for electric vehicles should take both income and location into account, reports RTE.
She said while the Government is promoting EVs as part of a transition to electrified transport, they are currently being sold in the wrong areas and targeted at the wrong households.
SJI is also calling for the reinstatement of the EV grant, which had previously been reduced, to help people install home charging points, reports RTE.
Regarding supports for heat pump installation, Ms Murphy said renters are unlikely to benefit, as landlords do not directly gain from lower energy costs.
She said the Government needs to find ways to incentivise landlords, noting that while they would end up with more energy-efficient properties, they do not directly experience the savings on energy bills, reports RTE.
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