A member of the Clare Older People’s Council believes more supports are needed for all age groups to ensure the rising cost of living can be met.
Energy Minister Eamon Ryan is to bring a package of measures to Cabinet next week which have provoked a mixed reaction in this county.
One reaction from the streets of Ennis on the difficulties facing people on rural areas on rising fuel costs.
It’s understood a public awareness campaign on tackling rising energy prices is expected to be unveiled next week.
People will be advised to take shorter showers, cut out one car journey a week and turn down the thermostat on the central heating.
One West Clare mother believes more Government assistance is needed to help people mitigate rising costs rather than advice.
Simone McGreene from Kilkee says her and her family are already trying the best.
A member of the Clare Older People’s Council meanwhile says people are already car pooling in this county to get around higher petrol and diesel prices.
Patricia Anne Moore says while she’d love to drive an electric car, further grants and intervention is needed at State level for her and others like her to be able to do that.
The cost of living concerns come as the carbon tax is due to increase from next month.
Sinn Fein has called for this to be deferred, while it’s also believed some backbenchers of Fianna Fail and Fine Gael are skeptical about the move.
Clare’s Green Party Senator though is accusing the opposition of ‘playing politics’ with the tax.
Inagh-based Senator Roisin Garvey elieves the measure is needed to ensure those at risk of fuel poverty can move towards greater energy efficiency.
