Oil prices continue to skyrocket in Donegal with a rise of over €70 in just a month

The cost of 1,000 litres of oil in Donegal now costs an average of €971.36, which is up over €70 in just a month.

One thousand litres of oil on October 22 cost €898.67, and according to price-tracking site Oilprices.ie, the average cost of 1,000 litres of heating oil in Ireland has jumped from €905 to €982.88 in that same timeframe as of this week.

Sinn Féin spokesperson on Finance, Pearse Doherty TD, has said government policy has made home heating oil unaffordable without giving people any alternative. He said there is a real danger of a winter hardship crisis if the government doesn't wake up to the situation and act.

"Nearly a million households rely on home heating oil to heat their homes,” Teachta Doherty said. “That is the only option for many people, particularly in rural Ireland.

"Reckless government policy has made oil unaffordable without giving people any alternative.  People are facing real hardship this winter unless the government comes to its senses. 

"The government, backed by independents, plans to increase the cost of a tank of oil by €150 in the coming years.

READ NEXT: ‘Donegal's rural areas have limited public lighting and an absence of footpaths’

"Carbon taxes already make up €220 of the cost, and they plan to add another €150.  This is a betrayal of many rural voters and independent voters. Sinn Féin have called for all future carbon tax increases to be scrapped.  Solid fuel, home heating oil and gas are all too expensive.

"The government should urgently reintroduce the €450 in energy credits as a way of supporting every household regardless of the energy sources they use for heating. The government need to recognise the pressures people are under this winter and end the rip-off and get prices under control”.

Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme