Maire Devine (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I move amendment No. 5:

In page 14, after line 18, to insert the following:

“Report on fuel poverty in Ireland

20. The Minister shall prepare and lay a report before the Houses of the Oireachtas on the impact of cuts to the fuel allowance given, the increase in fuel costs and examine the impact that partial restoration of the fuel allowance would have on fuel poverty and that the report shall be presented to the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Employment Affairs and Social Protection within 6 months of this Bill being enacted.”.

Research on fuel poverty has shown that people aged over 65 are seven times more likely to be hospitalised as a result of freezing temperatures compared to those aged 18 to 44. Hospitalisation in poorer communities due to cold weather are two and a half times more common than in the wealthiest neighbourhoods. We can underestimate the effect fuel poverty has on the health and well-being of our population. The justification for this amendment is to ensure adequate scrutiny is given to fuel allowance policy, given the extreme impact it has on the health and well-being of many people in our society. The proposed report will allow both Houses of the Oireachtas to have the necessary information to adjust allowances in light of its findings.During this Bill's progression in the Dáil, the Minister agreed to this amendment in principle. She agreed to support a revised amendment on Report Stage, but she subsequently failed to do so. This amendment gives her an opportunity to keep her word. We hope the Minister, along with the Members of this House, will support this updated amendment in the Seanad.