Many Galwegians are “unable to afford to heat their homes to a level that is both healthy and safe” as fuel poverty continues to increase in the city.
This is according to Sinn Féin Galway City East candidate Mairéad Farrell, who believes the problem is being further exacerbated by the Government’s carbon tax.
On May 1 2013, the Fine Gael/Labour administration imposed a tax of €1.20 on a 40kg bag of coal, which works out at €10 per tonne. This May the rate is set to double to €20, resulting in a tax hike of €2.40 on every bag of coal.
Ms Farrell said the tax has “nothing to do with protecting the environment”, but is just “another ruse to make the Irish people pay for the bailing out of banks and speculators”.
“The result of this tax,” she said, “means the worse off will not be able to adequately heat their homes, which will consequently impact on their health.”
