Government confirms temporary fuel supports

Ottoline Spearman

The Government has confirmed temporary measures to address skyrocketing fuel and energy costs.

The excise duty on petrol, diesel and green diesel will be reduced, taking place from midnight on Tuesday until 31st May.

Petrol excise will be cut by 15 cent per litre; diesel by 20 cent per litre, with green diesel (marked gas oil) cut by 3 cent per litre.

The NORA levy - which is typically charged at 2 cent per litre - will also be reduced to a "nominal amount" for a period of two months.

Tánaiste Simon Harris said that this equates to a reduction of 22 cent per litre of diesel and 17 cent per litre at the pumps.

Relief will also be provided to the haulage industry, with the maximum repayment allowable under the Diesel Rebate Scheme increased from 7.5 cent up to 12 cent per litre of diesel.

Simon Harris said that this will be backdated to the start of January, and will apply until the end of June this year.

Minister for State at the Department of Transport Sean Canney also confirmed that fuel allowance will be extended by four weeks, which he said will help around 470,000 households who will receive additional support of €152.

Harris confirmed that the estimated total cost of the measures is €250 million.

Taoiseach Michéal Martin said: "We are making interventions to reduce the price at the pump for all, to protect our most vulnerable, and to support our haulage industry, as a critical enabler of our economy.

"More broadly, we are making crucial investments in renewable energy, in our electricity grid and, importantly, in energy efficiency."

"Moving away from fossil fuels is key to reducing the impact of the current crisis and future crises."