Taoiseach Micheál Martin has confirmed the Government is looking at a “range of measures” to help people cope with the spring cost of living.
He told TDs and Senators at the Fianna Fáil parliamentary party meeting: “We are conscious of the impact of the cost of living and how much of it is energy related.
“It is important to protect the disposable income of workers and families.
“We are looking at a range of measures including government charges to enable people to cope with the cost of living increases and to protect people’s disposable incomes during this difficult time.”
The Government will also announce progress on retrofitting with proposals next week to address the need to make it affordable.
A senior source has told the Irish Mirror that consideration is being given to increase the already promised €100 credit towards energy bills.
And Social Protection Minister Heather Humphreys is also understood to have asked what further relief could be given to social welfare recipients.
The move comes as the Government has been slammed in recent days for the rising cost of living in Ireland with inflation now at an all-time high since April 2021.
The Irish Mirror understands there are now discussions underway on how more help can be given to households who are struggling with the rise in cost of food, fuel and energy.
A senior Government source said: “There is understanding across the board that people are struggling as inflation has increased globally.
“Consideration is being given to examine whether the already agreed €100 credit towards energy bills could be increased further or relief in other areas.
“It’s clear more needs to be done as the cost of almost everything has increased.”
A source said that Tanáiste Leo Varadkar believes "more needs to be done to help families."
The source said: "Fine Gael and Tanáiste believe more needs to be done to help families with the cost of living squeeze.
"We are working on options.
"A more generous energy credit is one option and would be simple to do once the legislation is passed.
"Also it would benefit all households which is important.
"In the medium term, the focus will be affordable healthcare and childcare."
At an Oireachtas committee on finance on Wednesday, Minister for Public Expenditure Michael McGrath suggested more is being considered to help people.
He said inflation is higher than was “envisaged and it’s likely to remain higher for longer than was anticipated.”
And that many people across the country are really feeling the pressure
He said: “We did make changes that I think will help. Does it go far enough? I think you can never go far enough at the moment given the level of inflation that is there…we are conscious of it.
“We will continue to keep it under review because we know that people are feeling pressure at this time and the issue is actively being examined and kept under review.”
