Tom Hayes (Tipperary South, Fine Gael)

I am glad to have the opportunity to speak on this important issue. Our motion notes that 227,000 households experienced some degree of energy poverty, which is considered to be almost one in five people living in this country. This is a level of fuel poverty that is deeply distressing and is simply not acceptable. We need to tackle it as a priority.

So much of our low income housing is without central heating and is poorly insulated. This area has been neglected by budgets in recent years. Now those vulnerable members of society who are most affected by the rising prices in energy provision need help to get through this tough period. A tough period for many means going cold, getting ill and endangering their health. Oil costs a great deal more now when compared to this time last year. One constituent of mine told me he spent the same amount of money in recent weeks for 550 litres of oil less in his tank. That is the reality. People can no longer afford to fill their tanks with oil. The warmer homes scheme which is currently only patchily available is invaluable and is recommended by Government and many agencies. I remind the Minister for Social and Family Affairs, Deputy Hanafin, that the scheme is not available in County Tipperary even though it is urgently needed to allow older people and those living alone in colder and older houses to make their homes warmer. The scheme should be extended. Deputy Enright quoted the number of homes in the scheme. An increase is required in the fuel allowance scheme if even as a temporary measure to cover the phenomenal increase in energy prices in the past 18 months. Urgent measures are required from the interdepartmental group on fuel poverty.

I recently visited a wood pellet burning factory in Tipperary town. Older people are unable to avail of this fuel. I suggest that smaller packs of renewable energy fuel should be available in local shops so that older people can buy them at a modest cost of €8 or €10 per week.

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