'Fuel measures do not consider middle earners' Laois TD argues

A Laois TD has welcomed the recent fuel measures announced by the Government, while arguing that more targeted measures would prove effective.

Independent TD Brian Stanley has raised that the measures do not support many people, particularly middle earners and bus operators.

"Middle earners, those who don’t qualify for fuel allowance but are not on high incomes unfortunately will not benefit in the way that they should," Deputy Stanley said.

"The cost of home heating oil will continue to increase due the fact that the Government are pressing ahead with increasing carbon tax on the first of May," he said.

The Deputy also argued that many people who are just above the income limit will not benefit from the one-month extension of the fuel allowance.

"The finance minister should also have extended the VAT rebate that hauliers receive to bus operators who are under pressure," Deputy Stanley said.

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"The Government are spending €235 million initially on this package, and it is unfortunate that the measures are not more targeted.

"Fuel reductions are unlikely to kick in quickly, because wholesalers and retailers may not reduce prices at the pumps for a number of days or even weeks," the Deputy finished.