To ask the Minister of Health for his assessment of the impact that cuts to the Winter Fuel Payment has had on hospital admissions among older people, particularly where inadequate heating worsens health conditions.

The analysis of admissions of older people to hospital where these are a directly related to winter fuel payments would be challenging to determine given what are often multiple variables leading to a decision to admit. The recent exceptional volume of admissions associated with viral conditions would make an accurate determination further challenging to conclude on this matter.

Notwithstanding this position, my Department fully recognises the well-established correlation between poverty and ill health as a key driver in health inequalities across all populations. My Department remains fully committed to addressing health inequalities through the strategic framework of Making Life Better which provides focused polices and actions across every spectrum of care, supported by multidisciplinary and multiagency arrangements and formally reported on through regular progress reports.