Pearse Doherty (Donegal, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

The Taoiseach has given his weather forecast and said what people should do, but we need to cut to the chase with regard to what that means. Between 1,500 and 2,000 people in the State will die from weather-related incidents because they cannot afford to heat their homes properly. It happens when temperatures drop to the levels to which they are expected to drop in the coming days. All the talk about keeping the heating on and applying for exceptional needs and discretionary payments simply does not cut it. People will die unless they are kept warm in their homes in the next couple of days. I remind the Taoiseach that individuals who have been identified as vulnerable, including those over the age of 65 years, those living alone, people with disabilities and who lack mobility, will be at risk in the next number of hours unless the Government steps in to give them certainty and security that if they keep the heating on, the Government and the Department will meet the payment. It is not a blank cheque. The figure is €6 million. Can the Taoiseach not say he will protect these vulnerable individuals and do his damnedest to make sure nobody will die as a result of the cold weather spell we are about to face? I have mentioned that far too many people - between 1,500 and 2,000 - die in these circumstances every year. An extra week's fuel payment for these individuals should be announced.

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