Michael Collins TD: Families left to "drown in debt" slams Government "bait and switch tactic"

Independent Ireland Leader TD Michael Collins has launched a scathing criticism of the Government’s continued inaction on spiralling energy costs, calling on Ministers to “cut the nonsense” and provide immediate and targeted supports for struggling families in Middle Ireland.

Speaking in the wake of new figures revealing that more than 160,000 households in Ireland are now behind on their energy bills – an increase of 86,000 in just one year – Deputy Collins said it was “utterly unacceptable” that Irish people are being left to “drown in debt” while paying among the highest electricity prices in Europe.

“We have consistently said that supports need to be in place for Middle Ireland – and they need to be in place now,” Deputy Collins said. “Families are being crippled with bills they simply cannot pay. The energy companies are raking it in, and the Government is either asleep at the wheel or wilfully ignoring the hardship. Enough is enough. It is not lost on people that the Government were more than happy to sign off on a giveaway budget last year, prior to the election and now they have got their feet under the table again they have pulled the plug - it is a bait and switch tactic of the worst kind ”

According to a report published by the Irish Independent this week, not only are Irish electricity customers paying among the highest rates in the EU, but those in arrears owe an average of €476 – a debt level that has grown sharply year on year.

“These are not luxuries people are struggling to afford – they are struggling to keep the lights on, to heat their homes, to cook for their children,” Deputy Collins said.

He also accused Government Ministers of “hiding behind headline inflation figures” and pretending the crisis has abated.

“What we’re hearing from Ministers is spin. The truth is that people’s wages haven’t kept pace with cost-of-living increases, and energy prices remain extortionate. This is a very real issue in hundreds of thousands of homes across the country.”

Deputy Collins called on the Government to implement immediate interventions, including expanded fuel allowance eligibility, a new energy credit for middle-income families who do not currently qualify for means-tested supports.

“It’s time to stop pitting one group against another. Whether you’re on a low income or a modest income, you’re being squeezed. This Government needs to stop playing politics with people’s livelihoods and deliver targeted, fair, and urgent relief for families in crisis.  The cost of living crisis has not passed, if anything it is getting worse and the Government must row back on it's apparent decision not to include a cost of living package in this years budget”