Martin Ferris (Kerry North-West Limerick, Sinn Fein)

I thank the Minister for his reply. The review of fuel poverty indicated that between 1,500 and 2,000 persons may have died in the winter of 2009-2010. I am not saying they all died from lack of heating in their homes but, certainly, it was a big contributing factor. The grant scheme that was available and operating up until now has helped in many cases to encourage people to properly insulate their homes. If this scheme is no longer available or if Better Energy: Warmer Homes is linked to a type of loan procedure, the indications are that will not work out because those who cannot afford to pay energy bills are unlikely to participate in any scheme that seems to take further from the household income. Would the Minister agree that the poverty of those on low income and of the elderly who do not have the money to purchase fuel in order to heat their homes or do not have the money up-front to engage contractors to insulate their homes, is a major contributing factor in what is happening? Many are living in cold homes that they cannot afford to heat. Is there anything in the Minister's proposal that can help such people? I refer to low-income families. In fact, this problem is expanding into middle-income families.

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