#715 Government for the People… or Themselves? With Cllr Albert Deasy

On today’s episode of The Niall Boylan Podcast, Niall is joined by Cork City South-West councillor Albert Deasy to discuss the growing debate around energy credits and whether the Government is getting it right… or completely missing the mark.With energy bills having doubled or even tripled in recent years, pressure is no longer limited to those on the lowest incomes. According to the Economic and Social Research Institute, around 30% of households in Ireland are now struggling with energy costs, raising serious questions about how support should be distributed.The Government hasn’t ruled out bringing back electricity credits, with Simon Harris saying it would be “foolish and arrogant” to take any options off the table, particularly as many households just above the threshold for supports are still feeling the squeeze.But new ESRI research suggests the previous universal approach may have been costly and inefficient. Electricity credits of €125 were paid to all 2.3 million households, costing up to €575 million, yet many vulnerable households were still left short. The ESRI argues that a more targeted payment of around €480 to those most in need could have lifted people out of energy poverty, at a significantly lower overall cost.So what’s the right approach?Should supports be universal, helping everyone in a time of crisis?Or should they be targeted, focusing resources on those who need it most?Niall and Albert Deasy also ask the bigger question:👉 Has the Government lost touch with the reality facing ordinary people?👉 What more can be done to help households struggling to keep the lights on?👉 And are current policies addressing the problem… or just papering over the cracks?📞 Niall opens the phone lines:Do you think energy credits should come back for everyone?Or should they only go to those most in need?And are you personally feeling the pressure when the bill comes in?A timely and hard-hitting discussion about fairness, cost of living, and whether the Government is truly listening to the people it serves.