Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 29 September 2026
132. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance the current total excise (carbon and non-carbon component) on home heating oil, petrol, diesel and green diesel; the amount received by the Exchequer from these taxes in each of the years from 2020 to date in 2026; and the total amount he plans to increase each by, up until 2030. [68616/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraFull detail of Exchequer returns with amounts in tabular form will be sent to the Deputy directly covering 2025 and 2026 to date. I am advised by Revenue that the receipts collected in respect of Mineral Oil Tax (MOT) each year up to 2024 are published on the Revenue website. The current excise rates on home heating oil, petrol, diesel and green diesel are also available on Revenue’s website.
As the Deputy will be aware, this Government has delivered one of the largest support packages in the EU per head capita with over €1.3 billion in supports. In so doing, we have:
• deferred the 1 May Carbon Tax increase on home heating fuels;
• reduced excise duty on diesel, petrol and ‘green diesel’;
• enhanced the Diesel Rebate Scheme for hauliers and passenger transport operators - mitigating price increases in these sectors and the associated knock-on effects they have on food and passenger transport prices;
• funded payments to road transport operators under the Road Transporters Support Scheme;
• funded payments to farmers, farm contractors and fishers under the Fuel Income Support Scheme; and
• reduced the NORA Levy; and
• extended the winter heating season by four weeks, increasing the total yearly payment to €1,216.
Government’s response has been made possible because of the careful management of our public finances in recent years. We have run surpluses for consecutive years. Running surpluses has not always been popular, however it has given us the flexibility and the agility to respond swiftly and forcefully to this shock.
As the Deputy will be aware, various options are being considered by Government ahead of the Budget next week, particularly what levers we can use to ease the burden of rising fuel costs on households.
The current carbon tax trajectory is set out in the Finance Act 2020, which was further amended by Financial Resolution on 28 August 2026.
In response to the current fuel crisis, the 1 May 2026 carbon tax increases were postponed to 14 October 2026.
Carbon tax rates up to 2030 on fuels liable to MOT are available on Revenue’s website.
As currently legislated, over the remainder of the trajectory, carbon tax increases will, inclusive of VAT at the current 23% rate, add 8.1 cents to a litre of petrol.
The total VAT inclusive increase on a litre of auto diesel will be 9.6 cents.
The carbon tax increases up to and including 2030 will add a total of 10.7 cents, inclusive of VAT at the current 13.5% rate, to a litre of heating kerosene.
The impact of the carbon tax trajectory on a litre of MGO/green diesel will add a VAT inclusive total of 11.2 cents.
As I have already signalled there are a number of issues that we are actively endeavouring to advance to provide assistance and certainty to people when it comes to energy, while also being honest with people that there is no government in the world that can absorb all of the impact of a global energy shock.
In considering these matters, we will need to have due regard to the overall budgetary position as well as EU legislative frameworks.
As the Deputy knows, the best way to manage the State's finances is as part of a carefully considered annual Budget process, which will be delivered next week.
