Post on 30-Dec-2015
Annual update on Fuel Poverty and Health
December 2009
Helen McAvoy and Christine Liddell
Overview
• This paper follows on from the All-Ireland Policy Paper on Fuel Poverty & Health and 2008 Update.
• The paper highlights key developments in fuel poverty policy, research and economics and the activities of the statutory and community sectors on the island of Ireland in 2009.
• The paper includes analysis by Christine Liddell of EU-SILC 2007 describing the relationship between fuel poverty and health.
Data
• Special Payment Arrangements operated by the ESB increased from 49,000 in 2008 to 78,000 in 2009.
• Winter 2008/2009 confirmed by Met Eireann as coldest in 8 years.
• 146,547 Irish households in fuel poverty based on EU-SILC 2007.
Key points
• Increasing body of knowledge to show the impact of fuel poverty on health across the life course.
• Opportunities presented by smart metering and sustainable technologies.
• Economic downturn presenting a formidable challenge.
• Success in area on increased benefit uptake in Northern Ireland.
Key points
• Standards of rental accommodation an important intervention point.
• Progress on improved energy efficiency in the residential sector, but need to focus on fuel poor.