Fuel Poverty Remains 'Major Issue'

Fuel poverty remains a major issue for people in Northern Ireland, according to a new report by the Housing Executive.

The report notes that 42% of Northern Ireland homes were recorded as experiencing fuel poverty in 2011.

It noted an investment in 2012-2013 of over £20m on heating, insulation and double glazing in NIHE housing stock.

9,095 insulation measures and 907 heating replacements were carried out in private homes under the Department for Social Development’s Warm Homes scheme in 2012/13, at a cost of almost £14.7m.

DSD’s Boiler Replacement Scheme has seen 8,700 installations completed from September 2012 to October 2013.

Social Development Minister Nelson McCausland said: "Fuel poverty remains a very real issue for many people in Northern Ireland, particularly at this time of year when temperatures begin to fall. Given the Energy Regulator’s recent comments that the era of high energy prices is going to be with us for considerable time, I know that many of us share this concern.

"In April 2011, My Department launched the Fuel Poverty Strategy 'Warmer Healthier Homes' which set out our vision for the future as "a society in which people live in a warm comfortable home and need not worry about the effect of the cold on their health".

"The strategy emphasised the need for a partnership approach to tackling this issue. My Department has responsibility for improving domestic energy efficiency and working closely with the Housing Executive, as the report highlights, much has been achieved."

The Northern Ireland Fuel Poverty Coalition says around 300,000 households in Northern Ireland currently cannot afford to heat their homes.

(IT/CD)