‘Madness’ - Elderly Waterford woman (91) hit with gas bill that ‘she simply cannot pay’

A 91-year-old woman from County Waterford has been hit with a gas bill that “she simply cannot pay”, the Dáil has heard.

Waterford Sinn Féin TD David Cullinane spoke on the subject during a recent debate on energy and fuel costs.

Deputy Cullinane said: “I visited the home of a family recently who asked me to visit a 91-year-old woman who received a bill that she simply cannot pay.

“She told me that with all the bills she has and the price of everything increasing, she simply does not know what to do.

“She explained that if fuel prices keep rising, the only option she will have is to not heat her home or turn down how often she heats it.

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“That is the reality for a 91-year-old woman and many more like her.”

Addressing the Tánaiste, Simon Harris, he criticised the Government’s inaction on the price of fuel.

“They do not want hollow words from the Tánaiste. Frankly, they do not care what the Tánaiste thinks about Sinn Féin and our motion, or his response about what is happening in the North or anywhere else.

“Their only concern is what the Government will do right now for them. That is what they want to know. What will it do?

“The Tánaiste has come to the Chamber today with nothing. He has no proposals. He talks about how the Government might do something but we do not know what that will be.”

Deputy Cullinane concluded by accusing the Government of not looking after families and workers.

He later provided more details on the case of the 91-year-old woman in a post on his Facebook page.

A post stated: “A 91-year-old woman living alone was hit with a gas bill of €797.42 for just two months.

“The family is checking the bill and the meter reading. However, €71 of the bill was carbon tax.

“She told me her only option if prices increase is to turn off the gas more! And this Government still plans to increase that tax again.”

Deputy Cullinane went on to again criticise the Government for not doing enough to support such people.

“These prices are madness and cruel as are increases from the Government.

“Older people, workers and families are being squeezed to the limit, while this Government stands back and does nothing.”

He concluded by calling on the Government to introduce cost of living measures to alleviate these issues.