A motion calling for households affected by soaring home energy costs to secure much-needed help is set to be brought forward in the Dáil today, 22 March.

This Sinn Féin Bill, which seeks to support households who are under financial pressure due to the crisis, will be debated in this evening.

Sinn Féin representative Claire Kerrane TD has called on the government to take urgent action while also voicing criticism on measures announced in recent weeks.

Teachta Kerrane said: "For example, their measure to extend Fuel Allowance will be provided only to those who already qualify for the payment, and the Exceptional Needs Allowance, which the Government have consistently pushed as an option for households yet, anyone working 30 hours or more per week cannot apply. Many working households continue to be unfairly locked out of access to support with eye-watering rises in energy costs.

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"Sinn Féin's Dáil Motion sets out clear and deliverable ways in which families could get urgent support now.

"This includes the introduction of a 'cost of living cash payment' of €200 for every adult with an income less than €30,000 and €100 for every adult with an income between €30,000 and €60,000.

"As well as our continued call for the cancellation of the scheduled carbon tax increase in May, we are proposing a further reduction of excise duty on petrol and diesel and the removal of the excise duty on home heating oil for a temporary period. 

"We are again calling on the Government to establish a Discretionary Fund to support households who are struggling with utility debt.

"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.

"In addition, we are calling for the existing 30-hour eligibility rule to access the Exceptional Needs Payment to be relaxed on a temporary basis. As it stands, anyone working more than 30 hours per week is locked out of the scheme."

Teachta Kerrane concluded: "It is crucial that the Government take further action on soaring home heating costs, and that they take it now. We need to see supports that reflect the scale of this crisis.

"I am urging all TDs across the Dáil to back Sinn Féin's Motion tomorrow evening to support workers and families with rising energy costs. We can ensure people get this much-needed help, if the government treats this crisis with the urgency it deserves."