Home heating oil prices in Ireland are still climbing after the government's budget announced a carbon tax relief of about 43 euros per 1,000 litres. Data from the price comparison app cheapestoil.ie shows 500 litres in Cork cost 803 euros the day before the budget and 809 euros the next day. The price per 1,000 litres has reportedly jumped from 1,205 euros in July to 1,660 euros now. The relief was meant to deliver instant savings as temperatures drop, but suppliers say higher overheads in larger or less populated counties are part of the picture. The gap between the policy's intent and what consumers actually pay at the pump highlights how carbon taxes interact with volatile fossil fuel markets. For households reliant on heating oil, the near-term effect of the tax cut has so far been hard to see.
