Sinn Féin TD for Dublin South West Seán Crowe has slammed the government’s decision to scrap energy credits which has left almost 320,000 homes unable to pay their electricity bills.

Teachta Crowe said:

“Almost 320,000 homes – around one in seven households – are unable to keep up with their electricity bills.

“That is not an accident. It is the direct result of this government’s decision to scrap energy credits without taking any meaningful action to force energy companies to lower their prices.

“People are working hard. They are doing everything right, but bills keep rising, wages are not keeping pace, and the government has stepped back just when families need support the most.

“The simple truth is this; Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael made a political choice to withdraw supports while allowing energy companies to continue charging sky-high prices.

“The government need to come out and explain to struggling families why they removed energy credits and why they have failed to rein in excessive electricity prices.

“The government needs to admit they got this wrong. They must bring forward an immediate cost-of-living package and reintroduce energy credits as an emergency measure to give households breathing space.

“Families cannot afford any more delay.”