02/12/2008

Families Face Toughest Christmas In A Generation

Families will be facing one of the toughest festive periods in a generation according to new research published today.

According to the Economic and Social Research Institute, almost one in five households in Ireland are affected by fuel poverty.

The estimated figure of households suffering fuel poverty is 19.4% for 2008, which represents over 300,000 homes in the country.

The figure shows an increase from 2005, when the number of homes affected by fuel poverty stood at less than 16%.

According to the statistics, a single adult with children who spends more than 35% of their disposable income on heating and light represents a case of fuel poverty.

Since the release of the figures, it has emerged that the Society of St Vincent de Paul (SVP) has appealed for an additional €10m to help deal with the growing number of people who will need its assistance this Christmas.

The Irish charity has appealed for the money so that it can cope with increasing demand.

SVP Appeal Week runs from 7 to 14 December with countrywide collections on 14 December. Donations can be made locally or through the SVP website: www.svp.ie

See: Tough Year Ahead, Says SVP

(DW)

Related Irish News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.

02 September 2011
Public Consultation On Poverty Launched
Social Protection Minister, Joan Burton, is launching a public consultation in the hope of engaging Ireland in reducing and eliminating poverty. The public consultation process is to be undertaken by her Department as part of the review of the national poverty target.
13 December 2019
Open Policy Debate On Child Poverty Hosted By Dr Zappone
The Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Dr Katherine Zappone, has hosted an Open Policy Debate on Child Poverty in association with the Children's Rights Alliance in the Department of Children and Youth Affairs. Keynote speakers that addressed the event included Minister Zappone, Professor Mary Daly from Oxford University and Dr.
29 April 2015
Motor Fuel Tax Having 'Profound Effect' on Domestic Tourism - AA
Motor fuel tax is having a "profound effect" on domestic tourism, according to AA Hospitality Services. The consumer services business carried out a survey asking motorists how pump prices affect will likely affect their leisure travel in the year ahead.
27 September 2019
Fine Gael Accused Of Failing To Honour Action On Fuel Poverty
Fine Gael has been accused of failing to honour its commitment on climate action to undertake an analysis of the impact of fuel poverty on vulnerable households.
30 July 2012
Hike In Gas Prices Will Cause Fuel Poverty - Crowe
Tallaght-based Sinn Féin TD, Seán Crowe shares the concerns of St Vincent de Paul that a hike in gas prices will force more people into fuel poverty. Deputy Crowe commented after An Bord Gáis applied to the Commission for Energy Regulation (CNR) to increase the cost for residential gas customers. The CNR have two weeks to consider the request.