Labour committed to tackling fuel poverty

Labour Party TD for Dublin North Central Aodhán Ó Ríordáin has said that recent initiatives launched by the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources Pat Rabbitte emphasises the fact that the Labour Party are committed to tackling fuel poverty in Ireland.


Deputy Ó Ríordáin stated: "The Affordable Energy Strategy to deal with fuel poverty is a comprehensive programme to address the pressing needs of the most vulnerable citizens to make their homes more energy efficient and to provide them with a more comfortable living environment. In addition, those homeowners who bought their houses before 2002 will be able to avail of facilities to insulate their homes and bring them up to better energy regulations. This is a very positive initiative which will aid those who were unfortunate enough to acquire homes which were not subject to stricter regulatory guidelines.

"Further, this Government will make energy improvements in approximately 60,000 homes across the country to the tune to €100 million. This is the largest ever spend on such an initiative by any Irish government. Moreover, the Minister's commitment that there will be no disconnections for families struggling to pay their energy companies shows further Labour's influence in government.


"I believe these are fair and progressive steps which the coalition parties have taken. Furthermore, I am positive that they will lead to better and smarter energy efficiencies in homes across this country whilst protecting those most at risk of fuel poverty. "