The Minister for Finance has warned that energy credits cannot become the norm and will not be part of the next budget.
Paschal Donohoe indicated that the Government will instead look at targeted measures to help those most in need.
Earlier, the Dáil heard that workers and families will continue to face energy cost rises for the next five years.
Sinn Féin Spokesperson on Health David Cullinane said hundreds of thousands of people are in energy arrears.
"How on earth are people going to face the increases that are coming down the track?" he asked the minister.
Mr Donohoe responded saying the Government is aware of people's concerns about the uncertainty in the world.
"I see that in the eyes of my constituents," he said.
But he added that these difficult and volatile times will not be helped by cynical politics.
Publication of south east cardiac review 'imminent'
Meanwhile, Minister for Health Jennifer Carroll MacNeill has said she "hopes" to publish a 2019 commissioned national review of cardiac services in the southeast "shortly after" she returns from the ministerial St Patrick's Day visits.
Ms Carroll MacNeill confirmed the potential timeline for the publication of the review during a Dáil question and answer session this morning.
Asked by Mr Cullinane when the review will be published and why it was "sitting on the previous minister [for health's] desk for at least nine months", Ms Carroll MacNeill said its publication is imminent.
Responding to further questions from Mr Cullinane about whether she will back plans for a 24/7 cardiac service in the southeast, where the Sinn Féin TD is based, the minister said she is "very, very open to providing the best care that is possible" for the region.
However, the minister did not specifically guarantee a 24/7 cardiac service for the southeast, saying she wants to see the findings of the review before making any predictions on the exact nature of future services.
Ms Carroll MacNeill said she is "reviewing the report" and is "hoping to meet the authors [of the review] shortly".
National Children's Hospital
Ms Carroll MacNeill has been told it will be "15th time lucky" if the latest deadline of June for construction on the National Children's Hospital to conclude is reached.
Mr Cullinane made the claim amid ongoing questions over when the project will be finished.
Asked about the likely completion date, Ms Carroll MacNeill said: "I'm assured by the builder, I am assured by BAM that we will have the hospital by the end of June", and be available to patients next year.
In response, Mr Cullinane said: "That would be a case of 15th time lucky, minister."
The minister was separately asked about concerns raised in a previously reported February letter from 12 paediatric surgeons about how they believe recommendations for 17 surgical appointments in the new hospital may not be met.
She said any decision on appointments will be made as part of the workforce plan for the new hospital, and that the focus will be on the "best resources for the area".
