‘It is totally unfair’: The silent sufferers of fuel price inflation

The relentless rise in fuel prices is pushing vulnerable households to the brink, forcing impossible choices between staying warm and meeting other basic needs. Susan Power, a wheelchair user from Cashel, Co. Tipperary, exemplifies this struggle, rationing her heating oil to just an hour a day in a poorly insulated home, fearing the escalating cost of her next refill.

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We almost never put the heating on – just an hour in the evening.

Her weekly income, shared with her husband who acts as her carer, barely covers essentials, let alone the rising cost of groceries and utilities. The government's recent €505 million fuel support package, while offering some relief through cuts to petrol and diesel duties, conspicuously excludes home-heating oil, gas, and electricity. This omission leaves individuals like Susan in a precarious position, unable to afford the heating necessary for their well-being.

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I am too scared to inquire about the price, but I am guessing it will be about €400. The way things are looking at the moment we just don’t have that.

Power's frustration is palpable, echoing sentiments of unfairness felt by many. She points to the government's decision to allocate substantial funds to farmers and lorry drivers following protests, while disability welfare entitlements face cuts. This selective support, she argues, prioritizes those who "cause the most bother," leaving the silent sufferers of fuel inflation, particularly the disabled and carers, feeling overlooked and unsupported. The current situation is not just an economic issue; it's a matter of basic human dignity and equitable support.

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They pick and choose who to support and it’s whoever is causing the most bother. It is totally unfair.