Elderly struggle to keep warm as fuel bills soar

ELDERLY people living in rural areas are feeling the most pain from soaring heating bills and badly need extra support to keep warm in their homes, according to Age Action Ireland.

Central Statistics Office (CSO) figures this week revealed the price of home heating oil more than doubled in the past year, jumping 127%. February to March alone saw a staggering 60% rise.

This has prompted concern for elderly people on fixed pensions, with many already struggling due to low incomes and poorly insulated houses.

Policy specialist at Age Action Ireland Nat O’Connor said: ‘We know that half of older persons across the country rely on home heating oil, particularly in rural areas where there’s no option for gas central heating.

‘More than half of older persons have less than €6,000 in savings, so you’re reliant on your weekly State pension. And you can’t just go out and do a bit of casual work. Those options are closed to you.’

Mr O’Connor said ‘something has to give’. He pointed to flaws in the system of testing for eligibility for financial supports such as the fuel allowance, which is awarded according to income only.

‘Only a third of older persons get fuel allowance, but there’d be many others on a modest income or in really poorly insulated houses, but who don’t get that extra cash support,’ he said.

‘By our reckoning, more than half of older persons are living in the most poorly-insulated housing, with a building rating of E, F or G, which means that their energy costs are particularly high.’

Age Action Ireland last week wrote to TDs, senators and Government officials urging a rethink of financial support for energy in the home.

It is calling for needs-based assessment incorporating energy rating, fuel efficiency and type of house, rather than just income.