07/11/2012
McCausland Welcomes Fuel Poverty Figures
Nelson McCausland has claimed Northern Ireland’s energy efficiency measures are having a positive effect on fuel poverty.
The Social Development Minister welcomed the figures published in the latest Home Energy Conservation Authority (HECA) annual report.
The survey revealed that fuel poverty has reduced from 44% in 2009 to 42% in 2011, representing a decline of 14,000 households.
The Minister said: "This past year alone, more than £37m has been invested on heating, insulation and double glazing to improve the energy efficiency of homes. These are investments that have made a real difference to the lives of thousands of people across Northern Ireland.
"I have said before the issue of fuel poverty is not one we can overcome overnight, but something that will take time and innovative thinking to tackle. Over the past year the Executive has demonstrated its commitment to this, allocating funding for a one off fuel allowance payment to around 250,000 vulnerable people here as well as making provision to double glaze 30,000 Housing Executive properties by 2015.
"In addition, my Department alongside the Housing Executive has replaced old inefficient boilers and provided insulation for thousands of homes. It seems this work is now beginning to have a real and lasting effect for many of our most vulnerable households, as well as providing a boost for many small businesses.
He added: "My Department will be continuing to work on addressing these issues and implementing the fuel poverty strategy. Work is already underway on a unique oil pay as you go metering system, an area based affordable warmth initiative and an energy brokering scheme for housing executive tenants. I will be asking my officials to look at the report in detail to see what more we can learn."
(IT/GK)
The Social Development Minister welcomed the figures published in the latest Home Energy Conservation Authority (HECA) annual report.
The survey revealed that fuel poverty has reduced from 44% in 2009 to 42% in 2011, representing a decline of 14,000 households.
The Minister said: "This past year alone, more than £37m has been invested on heating, insulation and double glazing to improve the energy efficiency of homes. These are investments that have made a real difference to the lives of thousands of people across Northern Ireland.
"I have said before the issue of fuel poverty is not one we can overcome overnight, but something that will take time and innovative thinking to tackle. Over the past year the Executive has demonstrated its commitment to this, allocating funding for a one off fuel allowance payment to around 250,000 vulnerable people here as well as making provision to double glaze 30,000 Housing Executive properties by 2015.
"In addition, my Department alongside the Housing Executive has replaced old inefficient boilers and provided insulation for thousands of homes. It seems this work is now beginning to have a real and lasting effect for many of our most vulnerable households, as well as providing a boost for many small businesses.
He added: "My Department will be continuing to work on addressing these issues and implementing the fuel poverty strategy. Work is already underway on a unique oil pay as you go metering system, an area based affordable warmth initiative and an energy brokering scheme for housing executive tenants. I will be asking my officials to look at the report in detail to see what more we can learn."
(IT/GK)
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A sunny but frosty start for many. However cloud increases by midday with a few showers reaching the north coast, these mostly light but spreading inland this afternoon. Chilly. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A rather cloudy evening with scattered showers. Becoming drier through the night with some good clear spells developing and a patchy frost away from coasts. Minimum temperature 0 °C.