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.