The number of Irish families unable to heat their homes has more than doubled in the past year because of low incomes, high fuel costs and poor housing, according to new research.
Clare O’Connor, Energy Policy Officer at Friends of the Earth, said: “Families who can’t afford to pay their energy bills aren’t in a position to invest in expensive retrofitting measures.“Retrofitting for low-income families in inefficient housing needs to be a top priority.”She told us: “Many people are tied to using smoky fuels like coal and peat for warmth, but these cause air pollution that damage health.
“While warmer months may now offer a temporary reprieve for some, there is a major risk the situation will deteriorate later in 2023 given high inflation and continued high energy costs.“The research report shows a change in approach at all levels of Government is urgently needed to ensure Ireland responds to the climate and energy price crisis in a manner that respects Sustainable Development Goal pledges to ensure ‘no one will be left behind’ and to ‘reach the furthest behind first’.
They want the Fuel Allowance to be redesigned, €20 added to social welfare, an Energy Poverty Act that defines energy poverty, sets legally-binding targets to reduce it and founds an independent energy poverty advisory council and a Just Transition Commission to give greater public awareness to the State’s commitment to integrating social justice with climate action.