Fuel Inflation 'Will Leave Thousands Out In The Cold'

Limerick County Council's leader - the Cathaoirleach - has warned that low-income families and elderly people living alone could face severe hardships this winter unless the Government increases the fuel allowance.

Cllr Kevin Sheahan said that many people would not be able to adequately heat their homes due the continued fuel hikes, shrinking purchasing power and an inadequate fuel allowance scheme.

He noted that the National Fuel Scheme is intended to help households in Ireland who are dependant on long-term social welfare or Health Service Executive (HSE) payments and who are unable to provide for their own heating needs. The Scheme operates for 30 weeks from September to April.

"As Ireland basks in sunshine you would be forgiven for forgetting about the long cold winter months that lay ahead of us. However, such a thought is firmly on the minds of hundreds of thousands of people across Ireland," explained Councillor Sheahan.

The Cathaoirleach continued: "It is greatly disappointing to see that despite the recent years of significant economic growth, many people are still struggling to heat their own homes.

"The existing fuel allowance of €18 a week would just about cover the cost of a bag of coal, which would not even keep the smallest of homes heated for a week. Predicted increases in the price of natural gas and oil will only serve to further compound the problem."

Councillor Sheahan commented: "Coupled with inadequate insulation, which makes homes extremely difficult to heat, these people will suffer from health problems. Therefore, it is incumbent on the Government to do all it can to ensure that vulnerable sections of the community are provided with as much assistance as possible."

"While I acknowledge that the Government has doubled the fuel allowance since 2006, I would ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs to consider further increases to help alleviate the effects of fuel poverty on the elderly and low income households," concluded Councillor Sheahan.

(JM)