Transport Minister Eamon Ryan has dismissed calls for further relief for motorists facing soaring prices at the pumps.
Instead, the keen cyclist said if people are struggling with paying for petrol or diesel, they should apply to their local social welfare office (or energy supplier) for help.
The Green Party leader’s simple advice was for those who can’t afford fuel to “go to their social welfare office and look for further assistance.”
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Mr Ryan was speaking at the announcement of a purchase of 120 new electric buses for the national fleet, part of a massive 800 vehicle order.
He was asked about the prospect of further supports for motorists or consumers ahead of the Budget in October as forecourt prices and the costs of living continue to increase dramatically.
He said: “I think a lot of further measures will come in the Budget.
“I think it’s appropriate for us in Government to work with social partners now to look at the whole range of choices we have to make in terms of the social welfare system, in terms of line departments and what they can do and I think it’s right for us to engage in a social dialogue with the partners, which is what we’re going to do this month and next.
“It is important for Ministers Paschal Donohoe (Finance) and Michael McGrath (Public Expenditure), that they want the time to get it right by really working through the Budget process.”
Mr Ryan then added: “There are emergency measures, if families are in particular difficulty, within our social welfare system there are particular mechanisms.
“And we said it in our national energy security framework, which was published two months ago, that all companies, all agencies, utilities, that if they do have households in difficulty they have to engage with them in a way that helps them through this period, that they’re not just forgotten about.
“So there’s no lack of immediate assistance if families are in difficulty.
“The social welfare system, the energy companies and others have been set up or directed and given help to help those customers out in the interim period.
“We have to make sure through our social welfare system that no-one is left in those circumstances where they can’t afford the basic necessities.
“They should go to their social welfare office and look for further assistance which is available.”
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