Louth heating oil hits €1,653 as reduction labelled ‘inadequate’​

The Government's response to soaring home heating oil prices is ‘inadequate’, Dundalk TD Ruairi Ó Murchú has said, with households across the county ‘left under enormous financial pressure’.

​Speaking during a debate on home heating oil, Deputy Ó Murchú highlighted that the average cost of 1,000 litres of heating oil in Louth has reached €1,653.05, with prices ranging from €1,610 to €1,680.

He said the Government's much-publicised €43 reduction on a 1,000-litre fill was ‘completely insufficient given the scale of the crisis facing families’.

He said: “Simon Harris told people that help was on the way. What has actually arrived is a €43 reduction on an oil fill costing more than €1,650 in Louth. That is nowhere near enough for households already struggling to make ends meet.

“People cannot simply choose not to heat their homes. Older people, those with disabilities and families on low incomes are particularly vulnerable, and they have every right to feel completely let down by this Government.”

Deputy Ó Murchú said international geopolitical developments had contributed to rising energy prices but said the Government had significant scope to provide greater protection for households.

He said: “We understand that international circumstances have driven up prices, but the Government cannot use that as an excuse for failing to act. There are measures within its control that could make a meaningful difference immediately.”

The Louth TD reiterated Sinn Féin's demand for the removal of carbon taxes and excise duties on home heating oil, saying the proposal had now been put to Government on nine occasions.

He said: “This is the ninth time we have called on the Government to cut all carbon taxes and excise on home heating oil. People deserve a proper break, not token gestures that barely make a dent in their bills.”

He also criticised the wider Government response to the cost-of-living crisis, pointing out that some lower-income workers could be just €5 a week better off under existing measures.

Deputy Ó Murchú said: “Sinn Féin has proposed reducing USC on the first €40,000 of income to put real money back into workers' pockets, but the Government has refused to listen.

“Families in Dundalk, Drogheda and throughout County Louth are facing enormous pressures from housing, healthcare and everyday living costs.

“The Government needs to recognise the reality facing these households and deliver meaningful reductions in home heating costs before more people are pushed into hardship”.