The Government has been urged to introduce an emergency cost-of-living package in light of the European Commission's relaxation of state aid rules yesterday to allow member states cushion the costs of energy bills.
Speaking during Leaders' Questions, Sinn Féin Spokesperson on Finance Pearse Doherty said the Government was "choosing not to act" to help householders, despite the surpluses identified in this week's Spring Economic Statement.
Watch: People can't wait for Govt 'to get act together’, says Doherty
"A fraction of the surpluses would make a real difference to ordinary people's lives. You have more than enough to act, you have more than enough to support households. This isn't about money, it's about political choices," he said.
He called on the Government to bring forward an emergency cost-of-living package immediately.
In response, Tánaiste Simon Harris said that while the Government noted yesterday's European Commission decision, the Coalition had already introduced one of the biggest support packages in the EU.
Mr Harris did not rule out taking further actions to alleviate pressures on households, but that the "Government can't come in here every Thursday and do another budget".
Labour Spokesperson on Finance Ged Nash called for a "mini-budget" to provide "real relief" to PAYE workers.
He asked why PAYE workers would have to wait over six months for the next budget, when protesters only had to wait a week for a package.
"Why are the real needs of the real drivers of the economy being blanked by you?" Mr Nash asked Mr Harris.
He said the Government very quickly found €750m over the last month for sectoral interests, but that PAYE workers needed help now.
"There are ways for you Tánaiste to do a mini-budget now to provide real relief for PAYE workers. You can reverse the VAT cuts, introduce a windfall tax on energy companies and use the money for targeted energy credits of €400 for average income households ... real supports for families with grocery bills and school costs," he said.
Mr Harris said the Government would not be bringing forward a mini-budget, adding that when there is a fuel crisis it makes sense to prioritise an intervention, but said "we’re not all the same in terms of fuel consumption".
He said if you are a haulier or a farm contractor you have a "very significant" fuel bill and it made sense for all to ensure supply chains and certain crucial sectors of the economy were kept going.
Mr Harris said the €750m package the Government brought forward benefited everyone as the Chief Economist at the Department of Finance had estimated that inflation would be 0.6% lower in May, June and July than it would have otherwise been.
"By keeping inflation down through the package we are having a positive impact on what that supermarket bill would have been otherwise," he said.
