Seán Crowe
Question:863 Mr. Crowe asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs her views on the figure that there are 2,000 premature deaths every year as a result of fuel poverty. [11398/04]
View answerTuesday, 27 April 2004
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The figure of 2,000 premature deaths associated with fuel poverty was mentioned in a report entitled Fuel Poverty and Policy in Ireland and the European Union. The policy institute at Trinity College Dublin and the Combat Poverty Agency published the report in 2003. The aim of the research was to analyse key policy issues on fuel poverty in Ireland and across the EU. The data for the period 1994 to 1997 was used.
The number of people who die in winter in western countries is higher than those who do so at any other time of year. Much of the difference is attributed to cardiovascular and respiratory diseases. The report does not show that 2,000 people die here each year because they cannot afford to adequately heat their homes during the winter months. The claim of inability to afford adequate heat in the home was the category that attracted the lowest percentage of responsibility for fuel poverty in the course of the study. However, I recognise how important it is to ensure that people on low incomes have adequate fuel and it is an aspect that can counter fuel poverty.
My Department keeps the extent to which people on social welfare can afford fuel under review. Provision is made to ensure that the combined value of weekly social welfare payments and fuel allowances rises in real terms, after compensating people for inflation, including fuel price inflation.
Increasing a primary payment for a full year is more expensive than increasing the fuel allowance for part of the year. The latter is correct as it gives people greater flexibility in meeting their needs. That, coupled with programmes to improve the fuel efficiency of the housing stock, will bring about a reduction in poverty levels, including fuel poverty levels, that I am working to achieve.