WATCH: Laois woman had to spend savings for husband's headstone to pay electricity bill
A grieving Laois pensioner had to spend her savings for her husband’s headstone on an electricity bill, the Dail was told today.
Longford Westmeath Sinn Fein TD Sorca Clarke raised the issue during Leaders’ Questions. She said the woman was living alone since her husband died last year and had received an electricity bill for €760.
The pensioner didn’t have the money and applied for additional needs but was refused as she had saved a small amount from her pension for the headstone, Deputy Clarke explained.
She said the woman was now distraught as she used her savings for the bill and won’t have a headstone for her husband’s anniversary.
“When her family called around to visit her last night, they found her sitting in the dark, terrified of switching on the lights, worried sick about what the next bill might be and when these nightmare costs are going to end,” Dep Clarke said.
Minister for Justice Simon Harris, who was seated near Minister of State Sean Fleming in the Dail, said the Government had taken action in the form of energy credits and fuel allowance. He accepted the hardships people were suffering and said the Government would legislate for a windfall tax to hit energy companies where it hurt.