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Fuel Poverty

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 3 February 2021

Wednesday, 3 February 2021

Ceisteanna (907)

Eoin Ó Broin

Ceist:

907. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Health if the impacts of energy poverty on health are monitored by his Department. [5992/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

There is compelling evidence that the drivers of fuel poverty (low income, poor energy efficiency and energy prices) are strongly linked to living at low temperatures, and that low temperatures are associated with a range of negative health outcomes.

Conversely, energy efficiency measures can support good physical and mental health primarily by creating healthy indoor living environments with healthy air temperatures, humidity levels, noise levels, and improved air quality. The potential benefits of energy efficiency measures include improved physical health such as reduced symptoms of respiratory and cardiovascular conditions, rheumatism, arthritis and allergies, as well as fewer injuries. In cold climates, energy efficiency improvements can lower rates of excess winter mortality.

Recent evidence shows that chronic thermal discomfort and fuel poverty also have negative mental health impacts (anxiety, stress, and depression). Energy efficiency improvements targeting fuel poverty can therefore improve mental, as well as physical well-being.

The Programme for Government commits to providing €5 billion to part fund a socially progressive national retrofit programme targeting all homes, but with a particular focus on the Midlands region and on social and low-income tenancies. Budget 2021 provided €109 million to support lower income households to retrofit their homes and participate in the transition.  This represents an increase of €47 million on the 2020 allocation for energy poverty schemes and means that almost half of the total residential and community retrofit budget will support people vulnerable to energy poverty.

The Warmth and Wellbeing scheme is a major pilot initiative delivered under the Government’s Strategy to Combat Energy Poverty and the Healthy Ireland Framework.  This pilot scheme, which was launched in 2016 with a €20m investment, is led by the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications in collaboration with the Department of Health, and has been delivered by the HSE and the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) in HSE Community Healthcare Organisation 7 (CHO7).

The scheme has targeted deep energy efficiency interventions at people in energy poverty who are suffering from acute health conditions and living in poorly insulated homes. By retrofitting homes, the Warmth and Wellbeing pilot scheme aims to improve their internal air temperature and air quality, producing an improved quality of life for residents, reducing their energy bills and reducing impact on the health service through less frequent doctor/hospital visits.

 An independent research project will take place in 2021 with the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM), following standard procurement processes. The LSHTM research team will conduct a health impact evaluation of the scheme, and will be delivered in 2021. This research will examine, among other matters, changes in hospitalisation rates and medication usage, general wellbeing and mental health and overall improvements in quality of life. 

Research outcomes are expected to inform wider rollout of retrofit schemes in Ireland.

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