Dan Neville (Limerick West, Fine Gael)

I welcome this opportunity to contribute to the debate. "Fuel poverty" is the new buzzword. People do not have enough money to heat their homes to keep them in reasonable comfort and protect their health. More than half a million houses experience some type of fuel poverty, with 62,000 experiencing persistent fuel poverty. It is an extensive issue in need of Government attention.

Fuel poverty affects those who are most vulnerable, those who have less goods and who are on lower incomes. It also affects people in certain houses with inefficient energy conditions. Elderly people in particular rely on expensive heating appliances or expensive fuels. Two issues are raised, namely, income and fuel efficiency. The Government should examine schemes to assist with energy efficiency, which is the key to improving the position. Those on low incomes and who experience fuel poverty do not have the means to do so themselves.

Certain groups are in greater need of warmth than the average person, such as those in ill health, those with disabilities, the elderly and those caring at home. The unemployed also spend longer in the house and do not have the same level of activity as others. The effects of fuel poverty range from uncomfortable living conditions to negative impacts such as poor physical or mental health, increased debt and a decline in the physical state of the home. These people cannot maintain their homes which deteriorate over a number of years.

In 2005, 6% of the population went without heating due to a lack of money. This also contributes to our winter mortality rates and poor physical health. Others have raised this issue in respect of the special housing aid for the elderly scheme. Limerick County Council's finances just covered applications to the end of last year, so no new grants have been available this year for people who wished to improve their houses. It is hard for people to understand that these schemes are in operation but are not being funded. What is the point in operating them without funding? I hope that special attention will be paid to this issue in the forthcoming budget.

Ireland has the second highest excess winter death rate in Europe. There is a strong correlation between fuel poverty and mortality rates. More than 2,000 deaths occur here each winter. Across Europe, Ireland's high incidence of fuel poverty stands out among lone parents, the employed and others in rented accommodation. In addition, the poor spend eight times more of their income on fuel than those in higher income brackets.

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