Regina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The fuel allowance this year will amount to €227 million while €237 million has been provided for electricity and gas payments. Further millions have been provided under the supplementary welfare allowance scheme and the exceptional needs payment scheme. The problem here is that heat is going straight up the chimney. The real way to future-proof people living in consistent fuel poverty is to ensure the heat stays in their houses. The only way to do that is to upgrade our local authority housing stock retrospectively, which can be done through the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government, and to ensure there are SEAI grants for everyone else with an older house which requires proper insulation using the great stuff that will keep us warm. If the money is increased, that is great, but when people pay for coal or gas, the heat must stay in their houses.

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