"Energy usage during the restrictions has increased as people are at home more, and many households will experience bill shocks at a time when they are on a reduced income. This must be factored into decisions regarding the application of the PSO levy in 2020/2021, as the proposed increase will add additional pressure to already struggling households,” said Kieran Stafford, National President, SVP.

Data from Eurostat show that among EU peer countries Ireland has the second highest rate of households who cannot afford to adequately heat their home and the highest percentage of utility arrears.

Proposed 36% increase in the Public Service Obligation Levy (PSO) will wipe out almost 50% of recent savings for electricity customers.

“With VAT added, domestic customers are effectively paying a tax on a tax. In the interest of social justice and fairness, we urge a review of the PSO application for low income and struggling energy customers.”

“At this very moment, bombs are raining down on the residential neighbourhoods of the city. There may be as many as 60 dead and 300 wounded."

The SVP has seen the amount it pays for energy costs for those who can’t afford to pay increase steadily over the last number of years.

24-year-old Director of the Liberia Mission of the Franciscan Works charity arrived in West African country in February 2013.

Report on the work of Irish missionaries in the Philippines and Korea helping the marginalised and most disadvantaged.

The Irish priests became known locally as Los Padrecitos - the Little Fathers - as they helped turn a desert slum into a thriving urban centre.

Although root causes vary, the most important is an entrenched culture of impunity.

Archbishop of Dublin, Dr Michael Jackson, to launch Advent Appeal for Al Ahli Hospital on Tuesday.

Pay-as-you-go or pre-payment customers should not be disadvantaged by using these meters SVP warns.

Levy is clearly out of proportion to low income customers' ability to pay and can be viewed as a regressive tax: SVP.