Tánaiste Simon Harris Seeks New Measures for Irish Energy Costs
Tánaiste Simon Harris has instructed finance officials to devise new measures to help Irish households with increasing energy costs. The focus is on structural costs and sustainable solutions, including grants for heating upgrades and renewable energy. This initiative follows a €750m fuel package and aims to improve energy affordability amid rising living costs.
Tánaiste and Minister for Finance Simon Harris has directed Department of Finance officials to develop additional measures to assist households with rising energy costs. This follows his earlier indication on Saturday that the Government is considering one-off supports to reduce reliance on fossil fuels, including initiatives for heating system upgrades and more efficient vehicles.
Mr. Harris confirmed his department will focus on the structural energy and electricity costs faced by Irish citizens. He stated, «We have to do more to help people with energy costs in Ireland,» just over two weeks after a €750m fuel crisis package was announced. Officials are tasked with examining options for permanent and sustainable progress, including practical supports for upgrading home heating systems with hybrid heat pumps or lower-emission fuels like HVO (Hydrotreated vegetable oil).
Measures under consideration include targeted grants, accessible financing, and investment in retrofitting, renewable energy, and the electricity grid. Harris emphasized that improving energy affordability is a key priority within broader efforts to address the cost of living. This comes as opposition parties, Sinn Féin and Labour, advocate for an Emergency Budget, tax cuts, and immediate assistance for PAYE workers, though Harris previously ruled out a mini-budget in the short term.