Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 9 July 2013
98. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Social Protection if any figures are available which demonstrate the extent of fuel poverty here; if she is planning a strategy to address fuel poverty; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33224/13]
View answerThere are currently no comprehensive up to date national statistics available on the number of people experiencing fuel poverty in Ireland. The EU Survey on Income and Living Conditions, which is carried out by the Central Statistics Office each year, does however, measure the percentage of the population that said they were unable to afford to keep the home adequately warm, over the previous year. The most recent figures available from this survey indicate that in 2011, some 6.8% of households in Ireland were unable to afford to keep the home adequately warm, the same level as in 2010 but an increase on the 2009 figure which was 4.1%. The Government has an energy poverty strategy; ‘Warmer Homes – A Strategy for Affordable Energy in Ireland’ which was published by the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources towards the end of 2011. The Strategy identified the extent and impact of energy poverty, the existing measures in place and the actions required looking forward. My Department has been working with the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources and other stakeholders on the implementation of this Strategy. Energy poverty is a factor of income, energy prices and the thermal efficiency of the home. In 2013, my Department will spend an estimated €284 million on the household benefits scheme, providing some 410,000 customers with a package worth almost €700 per year. In addition, some 410,000 customers will receive the fuel allowance of €20 per week paid for 26 weeks, at a cost of €211 million.
Under the supplementary welfare allowance scheme, exceptional needs payments may be made to help meet an essential, once-off cost which customers are unable to meet out of their own resources; this may include exceptional heating costs. In addition, more than 3,000 customers are currently in receipt of a special heating supplement, paid to assist people with special heating needs because of ill health or infirmity. The provision for exceptional needs payments in 2013 is €47.6 million, with an additional €11.4 million for supplements. The most cost-effective means of protecting households from energy poverty is to improve the thermal efficiency of the home. The Better Energy Warmer Homes scheme (BEWH), administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI), funds energy efficiency improvements in the homes of the elderly and vulnerable, making the homes more comfortable, healthier and more cost effective to run.
