To ask the Minister for Communities to detail any consideration she has given to introducing broader-based energy or fuel support for households who do not qualify for means-tested benefits, but are experiencing financial pressure due to rising fuel costs.

I am firmly committed to providing practical assistance to vulnerable households struggling with the rise in home heating oil costs.

On 16 April, I secured Executive agreement to increase the £17.2 million allocated by the UK Government with an additional £19.2 million – more than doubling the support available to help households with home heating oil. This means assistance to the value of £100 for home heating oil will be offered to over 300k households across NI.

One of my priorities has been to ensure that low‑income households could access support under the scheme, rather than restricting eligibility solely to those in receipt of income‑related or disability benefits. As a result, my Department’s scheme will be open to households not receiving these benefits but with an annual household income below £30,000.