As Deputy Chair of the DSD committee I fully support this motion as politicians, we Members should be fully aware of the worsening impact of fuel poverty on our communities and the fact that Fuel Poverty is costing lives.  The figures as they stand at the moment are totally unacceptable.  The recent DSD paper “Ending Fuel Poverty”   released that 33% of households in Northern Ireland could not afford to heat their homes.   Meaning 1 in 3 households are spending more than 10% of their annual income to heat their homes. . It is a poor state of affairs when our older population  are having to make a choice between fuel and food.

We have some of the highest levels of Fuel Poverty in the UK.  Recent surveys showed that in my constituency 23% of Carrickfergus homes were unable to adequately heat their homes and in Larne this figure was 36%.  Craigavon, Magherfelt and Ballymoney were identified as having the highest rates of more than 45%   Using figures from the 2004 Interim House Condition Survey, Northern Ireland has in total 152,200 (24%) households that are living in cold homes.  This is affecting the elderly, people living with a disability, those with a long term illness or families with one or more children under the age 16.

These vulnerable people are having their home life, health, their environment, their children’s educational attainment and their social well being affected by the knock on effects of fuel poverty.

The Department is confident to eradicate fuel poverty in vulnerable households by 2010 and in non vulnerable households in 2016.  In addition, by 2010, no household in the social rented sector should still be suffering.

The policy will:

- Focus on people

- Adopt a partnership approach

- Build on the commitment of community and voluntary groups, businesses, local authorities and statutory agencies

- Promote equality of opportunity, target social need and promote inclusion.

- Focus on the maximum practical help for households in fuel poverty.

- Seek to provide cost effective solutions to fuel poverty.

- Benefit the environment.

Over the period of time the strategy will aim to judge the success of the policy to which the vision of the DSD becomes a reality for the people of Northern Ireland, as well as by the number of households that remain in fuel poverty.

DSD are committed to taking action to address all factors within their control and will endeavour to influence others where the control lies outside of DSD.

The Action That We Require is:

For all buildings especially homes to be more energy efficient.  If we can bring forward the legislation to require home sellers and landlords to produce energy certificates at the point of sale or letting.

If we can make people aware of the grants that are available from the “Warm Homes Scheme” we can save them money on their energy bills.  Recent research shows that thousands of people across Northern Ireland could be making significant savings by availing of the insulation measures available under Warm Homes.

- On average 25% of heat in your home escapes through the walls.
- Up to 25% of heat is lost through an uninsulated loft.
- Between 10% - 15% of heat escapes through gaps around doors and windows.

The insulation measures that are available under the scheme include:

- Loft insulation
- Draught proofing to windows and doors
- Cavity Wall Insulation
- Reflective radiator Panels (solid walls only)
- Hot Water Tank Jackets
- Compact Fluorescent Lamps
- Energy Efficiency Advice

In 2004 91%; 94% of people who did avail of the grants through the Warm Homes Scheme stated that their homes had changed for the better;  we should ensure people are given free advice on the importance of not underestimating the importance of a well insulated home and how this saves energy and money, the number of homes that have already availed of the warm homes scheme has risen from 8,250 to 10,000

Those that are entitled to the grant is anyone who

- Owns or privately rent their homes
- Have children under the age of 16 and are in receipt of a specific benefit
- Householders of any age who are in receipt of a specific disability related benefit
- Householders over the age of 60 who are also in receipt of a specific benefit. 

‘Pre-Budget Report 2006’ that £7•5 million in additional resources to support area-based approaches to tackling fuel poverty — of which £1•2 million is to be provided for the devolved regions — we have heard nothing in respect of its deployment in Northern Ireland

. He drew attention to the Warm Homes Scheme which has seen its funding increase from just under £3 million in 2001 to just under £12 million in the current financial year and a further £2.9 million has been secured over the past few months. The scheme has assisted over 25,000 vulnerable people over the past four years and the target of 8,250 homes every year is being achieved.

The Assembly must also reduce fuel costs, and encourage the Chancellor to increase winter fuel payments there is no point of offering winter fuel payments, if it is going to be used up by the huge increase in energy costs. We could adopt a more radical approach to addressing fuel poverty by encouraging the energy industry especially NIE to reduce their tariffs.  As it stands at the moment electricity is currently higher in NI than anywhere else in the UK.

- If we make a concentrated effort to maximise income then this will help in reducing those affected by uncomfortable homes, there is no doubt that those who are on a low income will suffer more.

If we offer free advice and raise awareness of the grants etc that are available, if we can encourage schools to teach children of the impact of fuel poverty and how to save energy then we will be installing this type of energy saving behaviour from an early stage.  Lasting change can be achieved from providing excellent advice and guidance.

I wish to finish by saying that in my remit as Deputy Chair of the DSD committee that I will be supporting the DSD in what ever research and evaluations they require to achieve the eradication of Fuel Poverty.