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Tax Code

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 20 January 2011

Thursday, 20 January 2011

Ceisteanna (73)

Mary Upton

Ceist:

69 Deputy Mary Upton asked the Minister for Finance if his attention has been drawn to the hardship the carbon tax charge is having on the elderly (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3050/11]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I announced in the 2010 Budget the introduction of a carbon tax at a rate of €15 per tonne on fossil fuels. The tax was applied to petrol and auto-diesel with effect from midnight, 9 December 2009; and applied from 1 May 2010 to kerosene, marked gas oil (also known as ‘green diesel' or ‘agricultural diesel'), liquid petroleum gas (LPG), fuel oil and natural gas. The application of the tax to coal and commercial peat is subject to a Commencement Order. Based on studies carried out by the ESRI, the overall direct impact on households will be between €2 and €3 per week.

The Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources is working closely with the Ministers for Social Protection and Environment, Heritage and Local Government to deliver a fully cohesive Government response to the challenges of addressing energy affordability in Ireland through a combination of institutional supports, investments in improving the energy efficiency of housing stock and wide availability of advice on energy efficiency.

The affordable energy strategy will be the framework for building on the measures already in place to protect households at risk from the effects of energy poverty. The Household Benefits Package and the National Fuel Scheme is available for qualifying individuals from the Department of Social Protection. The Household Benefits Package provides support for individuals towards heating costs through the electricity or gas allowances. The national fuel scheme provides a weekly winter payment for 32 weeks from September to April. In view of the harsh winter conditions I announced a €14 million allocation to the fuel allowance scheme to enable a payment of €40 to households that receive the fuel allowance payment in Budget 2011.

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