The Government's failure to raise the fuel allowance to social welfare recipients will put lives at risk over the winter months, according to Labour Party Spokesperson on Social and Family Affairs Willie Penrose.
Mr Penrose said that many people will struggle to heat their homes properly over the next number of months if the Government waits until the Budget to address the issue.
He also claimed that Ireland has one of the worst records in Europe "in terms of people being able to heat their homes" and said with the "dramatic rise" in fuel costs there is a danger that death rates from hypothermia and other cold-related illnesses could increase.
"The current rate of the weekly allowance, which is paid only from October to mid-April each year, is just a miserly €9. This would barely cover the cost of a small bag of coal while a cylinder of gas costs around €21," he added.