To ask the Minister for Communities what plans his Department has to (i) reinstate the Affordable Warmth, boiler replacement and other schemes; and (ii) create new schemes; (iii) change eligibility thresholds of existing schemes in order to reduce the impact of the cost of living crisis.

The Affordable Warmth Scheme is currently open to applications and is set to run until March 2026. The Scheme continues to assist low-income owner-occupiers and households in the private rented sector, with an annual household income of less than £23,000. To make an application to the Affordable Warmth Scheme, customers can contact the NI Energy Advice Service via: 0800 1114455 or email: NIenergyadvice@nihe.gov.uk

My Department is currently in the early stages of developing a new fuel poverty intervention that will replace the current Affordable Warmth Scheme when it ends. This new scheme will align with the Energy and Green Growth Strategies, Climate Change Act and support the principles of the new Fuel Poverty Strategy. My officials are also exploring the option of low carbon heating solutions along with other energy efficiency measures and will consider the eligibility and income thresholds in the development of the new scheme. The consideration of new thresholds will form part of planned stakeholder engagement workshops.

In September 2023 my Department announced the closure of the Boiler Replacement Scheme due to budgetary constraints. Prior to the budget decision, the Scheme had seen a significant decrease in both the number of enquiries and application forms received in the previous two financial years, which was further evident again this year. Additionally, the current Scheme replaced fossil fuel heating systems without the option of more efficient, low carbon heating.