Cold snap forcing families to decide between paying a bill or heating home, says SVP
The decision to either pay a bill or heat their home is an increasing challenge being faced by more and more people in Ireland as the weather worsens, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul (SVP) stated today.
SVP has urged people to watch out for older neighbours in particular those who may be living without sufficient heating.
The SVP, which spent over €10m in 2013 to help people with their energy bills, highlighted recent CSO figures which show that 30.8% of those living below the income poverty line went without heating at some stage in the last year because they could not afford it.
This figure is up from 25% in 2012.
SVP social justice & policy officer Brendan Hennessy said that while recent energy price reductions for Irish consumers are welcome, most consumers do not see the drop in international oil and gas costs being passed on fully.
"The Energy Regulator (CER) and Government need to explain to consumers how and why this is the case," he said.
"Now that CER no longer regulates prices, SVP believes they should use their expertise to inform and protect customers.
"While consumers can seek to make savings by switching, this option is not available to many people assisted by SVP.
"This can be due to ongoing arrears issues, lack of access to computers or the use of direct debit not suiting people on low income.
"Energy costs need to be examined and further investment made in thermal efficiency of housing and fuel supports."
