Kildare families 'pushed to breaking point' over cost of living crisis

Labour councillor Angela Feeney has called for urgent cost of living supports for households, warning that families are struggling to cope with soaring energy and heating costs.

According to Cllr Feeney, across Kildare families are “deeply worried” about how they will manage the rising cost of heating their homes.

The spike in energy prices following the outbreak of war in Iran has pushed many households to “breaking point”, she said.

Cllr Feeney said that struggling families are dealing with rising rents, mortgage costs and grocery bills, while wages have not kept pace with the cost of living.

“For many households the fear now is how they will keep their homes warm in the weeks ahead. The pressure is particularly severe for older people, families on fixed incomes and those already struggling to keep up with their bills”, she stated.

READ NEXT: Home heating oil hikes 'exposes government failure to protect Kildare families'

“Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael have the tools to intervene but they are failing to act with the urgency the situation demands. Extending the fuel allowance by four weeks would provide immediate relief to vulnerable households who are already cutting back on essential spending.

“A double social welfare payment would help families cope with the sudden spike in costs that has emerged in recent weeks. These measures would make a real difference to households  who are currently facing impossible choices between heating their homes and covering other basic expenses.”

Cllr Feeney said immediate action is also needed to tackle price gouging in the home heating oil market. Intervention is needed, she said, to protect families from opportunistic price increases.

“People in Kildare cannot wait while politicians debate the issue. They need real help and they need it now.”

Councillor Feeney called on Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael to urgently extend the fuel allowance, introduce a double social welfare payment and cap the price of home heating oil to protect households from further cost of living pressures.