The two Sinn Féin TDs for Waterford have slammed the government’s decision to scrap energy credits which has left almost 320,000 homes unable to pay their electricity bills.
Deputy Conor D. McGuinness said the number of households who cannot pay their electricity bills is rising at an alarming rate, with Deputy David Cullinane adding that families in Waterford are feeling that pressure every single day.
Teachta Conor D. McGuinness said:
“In just one month alone, almost 16,000 more households across the state fell into arrears.
“That brings the total to almost 320,000 homes – around one in seven households – 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 across Waterford City and County 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.
“Sinn Féin has long called for new powers to be given to the regulator to tackle the rampant profiteering and anti-competitive behaviour of energy companies. The government must finally hold energy companies to account and force them to bring down the price of energy for good.
“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.
“They have repeatedly rejected Sinn Féin’s proposals to hold energy companies to account and end the rip-off once and for all. That decision is now pushing more and more households into debt.
Deputy David Cullinane said:
“I am calling on Waterford’s two Ministers – Fine Gael’s John Cummins and Fianna Fáil’s Mary Butler – to stop hiding on this issue. They need to come out and explain to struggling families why their government removed energy credits and why they have failed to rein in excessive electricity prices.
“People deserve answers.
“Across city and county we are hearing from workers, pensioners, young families and small businesses who are genuinely worried about how they will manage. Many are cutting back on essentials. Some are falling behind on payments for the first time in their lives.
“This is not sustainable.
“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 in Waterford cannot afford any more delay.”
Conor D. McGuinness TD 