To ask the Minister for Communities to detail any targeted measures being developed to support older people in rural areas facing higher heating costs.

My Department is in the process of finalising the new Fuel Poverty Strategy for Northern Ireland. With a vision of “a warm, healthy home for everyone,” the strategy has three objectives: make homes more energy efficient, collaborate and build capacity and protect consumers. The aim is to support low income households with better access to trusted energy and energy efficiency advice and with energy saving measures for their homes.

My Department also delivers the Affordable Warmth Scheme (AWS) for owner occupiers and those in the private rented sector most at risk of fuel poverty. The scheme is directed at low-income households, though not

specifically targeted to older people. It provides a range of energy-efficiency improvement measures including cavity and loft insulation, new and replacement heating systems and windows, where appropriate. The Department is also currently developing a new more ambitious Warm Healthy Homes Scheme that will replace the Affordable Warmth Scheme when it ends. It will provide support to low-income households experiencing fuel poverty, offering a range of measures including insulation, low carbon heating solutions and renewable technologies. The Scheme will be open to applications from all households that meet the eligibility criteria including those with older occupants in rural areas.

Work is also ongoing on a number of activities to promote the uptake of Pension Credit, which can help older people access extra support with their heating costs, through the Cold Weather Payment.

This includes:

regular social media and broadcast campaigns, with a further advertising campaign scheduled for October across radio and press channels;

distribution of information leaflets to libraries and GP surgeries;

collaboration with other statutory bodies such as the Northern Ireland Housing Executive and Northern Ireland Health and Social Care Trusts;

identifying Pension Credit entitlement at the point where a person makes their State Pension claim.

My Department continues to work closely with community and voluntary sector partners to reach out to those who are eligible but not currently claiming. This approach helps ensure older people, particularly in rural communities are informed about, and able to access the financial support available to help them with their heating costs.