Mick Wallace (Wexford, Independent)

There can be no doubt that the Government's austerity measures have had the greatest impact on the more vulnerable members of society, including the elderly. A new report published by researchers at UCD and St. Mary's Hospital in the Phoenix Park, Dublin, shows that more than 10,000 elderly people per year are subjected to some type of abuse, of which the most common is financial abuse. Funding must be ring-fenced to protect the vulnerable members of society. Such people, who include many of our older citizens, are already in extreme difficulty even before the inevitable further cutbacks are introduced. We discussed the challenges facing the community and voluntary sector during Private Members' business this week. Older people must be protected in the context of cutbacks in State spending and support for community initiatives.

Will the Minister indicate whether there are there any plans to implement a fuel poverty strategy, as indicated in the programme for Government?

See this speech in context