Sinn Féin TD for Wicklow, John Brady, has slammed the government’s decision to scrap energy credits which has left almost 320,000 homes unable to pay their electricity bills, with families across Wicklow among those hardest hit.
Deputy Brady said the number of households falling into energy debt continues to rise at an alarming rate – and families here in Wicklow are feeling that pressure every single day.
Teachta Brady 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, now unable to keep up with their electricity bills.
“These are staggering figures — over 300,000 households now trapped in energy debt while this government sits on its hands.
“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 in Wicklow are working hard. They are doing everything right.
“But bills remain far higher than they were just a few years ago, 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 excessive prices.
“That decision is now pushing more and more households into debt and financial distress.
“I am calling on Tánaiste Simon Harris and his Government colleagues 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 Wicklow, I am 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 situation 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 Wicklow cannot afford any more delay.”
ENDS