Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Social Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

716. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the details of a scheme (details supplied); the areas in which it is operational; and the steps he is taking to draw the attention of the general public to its existence. [17894/17]

Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Stay Warm savings scheme is run by the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul. It makes €5 stamps available to the public through retail outlets. These stamps are collected in a savings booklet which can then be used to pay for all or part of a home heating bill. The aim of the scheme is to offer a convenient solution that helps householders to save towards the cost of their home heating bills.

My Department has committed to funding the scheme on a pilot basis for two years. As a pilot, it is operating in parts of Dublin, Kildare and Wicklow. In total, 70 retailers are selling stamps and promoting the scheme, with 55 fuel suppliers accepting the stamps as part or full payment for all deliveries. In Dublin, the stamps are available in the Finglas and Cabra areas, with 20 retailers and 12 fuel suppliers participating in the scheme in those areas. Informing the public is part of the work the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul do to run the scheme. I understand that this takes the form of  advertisements in the local newspapers and on the local radio stations along with leaflets being circulated in the locations where the scheme is available. From a policy perspective, the scheme is included in the National Strategy to Combat Energy Poverty.