Tackling fuel poverty – a key priority for Minister Ritchie

Social Development Minister Margaret Ritchie has confirmed her Department are on target to make 9,000 homes warmer this year.

In response to an Assembly debate on the Warm Homes Scheme yesterday the Minister said: “I have allocated over £27million to alleviate fuel poverty in the most vulnerable households and we are on track to achieve the target of assisting 9,000 households.

“The Warm Homes Scheme is my Department’s flagship initiative for tackling fuel poverty and I am committed to improving the warmth and comfort of vulnerable households.”

The Warm Homes Scheme criteria now targets low income households, including those with solid fuel, Economy 7 or Liquid Petroleum Gas heating systems.

The 2006 House Condition Survey conducted by the Northern Ireland Housing Executive showed that many thousands of properties with these inefficient heating systems exist right across Northern Ireland.

The Minister added: “I would encourage people right across Northern Ireland to apply for the Warm Homes Scheme.

“I am committed to ensuring that all the money I have allocated to tackling fuel poverty will be fully utilised in providing energy efficiency measures, thus keeping vulnerable people warm in their homes.”

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