Bord Gáis has announced major price hikes to gas and electricity from next month.

The company confirmed the average electricity and gas bills will rise by 27% and 39% respectively from 15 April.

Sinn Féin Claire Kerrane TD representative has called for urgent action to help those affected by the cost of living crisis.

"Workers and families are struggling to heat their homes and it is clear that urgent action is needed from the Government," said Kerrane. "The measures announced by Government in recent weeks, while welcome, do nothing to address the spiralling cost of home heating.

"For example, the extended Fuel Allowance will be provided only to those who already quality for the payment, and the Supplementary Welfare Allowance is only available to people working less than 30 hours per week.

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"Recent research has founBord Gais Customers To See Huge Price Increases d that 37% of people have cut back on essential heating and electricity use and 17% have cut back on other essentials such as food. This is totally unacceptable. Despite this, many working households continue to be locked out of access to support with spiralling energy costs.

"Sinn Féin are once again urging the government to establish a Discretionary Fund to support households who are struggling with energy costs and who are locked out of social welfare supports. We also need to see the Fuel Allowance extended to those in receipt of the Working Family Payment, which is a payment for provided to low-income working households.

"It is urgent that the Government take further action on soaring home heating costs and that they take it now. Far too often, the government drag their heels and fail to act when people need it. We need to see urgent action that reflects the scale of this crisis. People are under huge financial pressure and they need a break from these spiralling costs now."