20 July 2000

MINISTER OUTLINES PLANS TO TACKLE FUEL POVERTY

Minister for Social Development, Nigel Dodds, MLA, today announced proposals to help people in Northern Ireland who suffer from fuel poverty. It is estimated that as many as 170,000 households could be suffering to some degree from fuel poverty. The existing statutory scheme, the Domestic Energy Efficiency Scheme, is to be reviewed and a consultation paper setting out new proposals is being published today.

The proposals include a broader range of energy efficiency measures, improvements in heating standards where necessary and, for the first time, cavity wall insulation. Elderly people on benefit living in homes with inefficient central heating systems will be eligible for modern energy efficient systems.

The proposals also recognise the link between fuel poverty and health, give priority to those most at risk and are targeted at the private rented and owner occupied sectors.

Launching the new proposals during a visit to the Belfast Energy Advice Centre Mr Dodds said, "We may be experiencing unusually warm weather at the moment but we must not forget that fuel poverty is a serious problem in Northern Ireland. In the winter there are people who simply cannot afford to heat their homes properly and who, as a result, may suffer from cold related illnesses and may, indeed, feel excluded from the rest of society.

"What is of particular concern is that it is often the very young, the elderly and the disabled who are most at risk and are caught in the fuel poverty trap. It is unacceptable that an estimated 600 people should die each year in Northern Ireland as a result of cold related illnesses."

Concluding the Minister said: "I am keen that we do the utmost to tackle this problem. The proposed improvements to the Domestic Energy Efficiency scheme will help those most vulnerable in our society and I would encourage everyone to lend their support to our efforts to tackle this serious issue and to respond positively to our proposals. If we receive a positive response, I am confident that the new proposals will be introduced from next April."

 

NOTES TO EDITORS:

1. The Minister for Social Development, Nigel Dodds, MLA is responsible for domestic energy conservation through his housing portfolio.

2.The Domestic Energy Efficiency Scheme(DEES) provides loft insulation, draughtstripping, hot water tank insulation and energy efficiency advice for households on certain benefits and for the over 60s.

3. A fuel poor household is commonly defined as one which needs to spend more than 10% of household income to achieve a satisfactory heating regime (21 C in the living room and 18 C in the other occupied rooms).

4. Initially the existing DEES budget of £2.88m will be used but assuming a positive response to the consultation document, bids will be made for additional money.

5.Copies of the consultation paper are available from the Department for Social Development, Housing Policy Branch, Room 4-06, Clarence Court, 10-18 Adelaide St, Belfast BT2 8GB, Tel 028 9054 0787

6. Comments on the consultation paper should be forwarded to the Department for Social Development, Housing Policy Branch, Room 4-06, Clarence Court, 10-18 Adelaide Street, Belfast BT2 8GB.