The St Vincent de Paul charity has appealed to the government to adjust basic welfare rates and fuel allowances for inflation in the next budget, reports RTE.
Speaking before the Oireachtas Social Protection Committee, the charity told members that an estimated 377,000 people live in fuel poverty, with lone parents, the disabled and the unemployed at risk.
Dr Tricia Keilthy, SVP’s head of social justice and policy, also suggested that the government should appoint new local energy advisers.
These staff would be present in local areas and would provide personal support to those struggling with energy costs to ensure they were aware of their entitlements.
MP Denis Naughten said this was a constructive proposal and he would also write to the Minister for Social Protection to set out the SVP’s concerns about fuel poverty, reports RTE.
Members also expressed concern at the end of the moratorium on power cuts at the end of March.
Deputy Joan Collins asked the committee to formally seek his reinstatement.
Dr Keilthy told members that the SVP had not seen the real impact of the retirement moratorium.
However, she said utilities often try to avoid disruptions and levels of disruptions remained low when the moratorium was lifted last year, reports RTE.
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