Olwyn Enright (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)

While the Minister may have the results of the surveys by the third quarter, winter will have started by that time and people will be suffering. The Minister will be aware that the Institute of Public Health in Ireland believes fuel poverty levels are unacceptably high in the Republic. While the relevant statistics are old, she will also be aware that we have the highest incidence of winter mortality in Europe. While more people are bound to die during winter, the reasons include fuel poverty, according to the institute.

While the Minister mentioned that the Government cares about this issue, actions speak louder than words. A risk obtains in this situation. I assume the Minister is aware that the price of domestic heating oil increased by 47%, in excess of €1,200 or €1,300 per tank per year, between May 2007 and May 2008. How does she intend to address this matter? While I welcome Government focus on increasing social welfare rates, the fuel issue must be addressed specifically. Given the Minister's comments, I am concerned about whether she will really enter the rounds of negotiations to bat on this issue. Will she confirm to the House whether she intends to seek an increase? I am not asking for a token increase of an extra week to try to keep everyone happy or to prevent them from stating that they received nothing. I am asking for a real increase to reflect inflation in fuel prices.

Yesterday, Age Action Ireland put it to me that elderly people will need to make a choice between food and fuel this winter. This would be unacceptable in the Ireland of 2008. I want the Minister's commitment that she will ensure elderly people and lone parents need not make such a life or death decision.

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