The Tánaiste says energy will be the biggest challenge for the economy this winter.

It comes as the price of home heating oil has risen by more than 70% in the past year, due to the conflict in the Middle East.

There are fears people may have to ration their supply this winter, as tensions between the US and Iran escalate.

Tánaiste and Finance Minister Simon Harris, says multiple measures are being considered as part of Budget 2027:

"We're looking specifically at seeing are there interventions we can make on home heating oil."

He continued, "I can't insulate people fully from this for all of the global reasons you suggest, but there are some measures that we can take."

"We're also very conscious as a Government, the cost of running a house if you are an older person alone is very significant, are there other ways we can help people through the Living Alone Allowance as an example there. We are looking at all of these things in the round."