Former car mechanic Michael Meere (47) has multiple disabilities since a motorbike crash and two subsequent bicycle accidents. “These rates added together and divided by 52 gives me, up to now €271.14 a week on average across the year. He buys a bag of coal or a bottle of gas with his fuel allowance each week. “Where would one be going in all fairness, with a bag of coal being nearly €30 and a pack of firelighters €5 euro? The fuel allowance didn’t even cover that."

Source: The Irish Times December 08, 2025 12:02 UTC