To ask the Minister for Communities to detail (i) any assessment his Department has made of the impact of fluctuations in home heating oil prices when determining the expiry period for Home Heating Oil Support Scheme vouchers; and (ii) whether he will consider extending the validity period, to provide recipients with greater flexibility over when they purchase oil.

When a claimant receives a hyperlink to access their Home Heating Oil Support Scheme digital pre-paid card, they have up to three months to activate the link. Once activated claimants have until the last day of the following month to use their card to buy oil. This provides significant flexibility in when the card can be used.

As claimants can have up to five months to redeem and use their card, there are no plans to extend the validity period.

To help make cost effective decisions when purchasing home heating oil, I would encourage people to contact the NI Energy Advice Service (NIEAS), funded by my department and delivered by the Housing Executive. This offers free and impartial advice including grant referrals, heating tips and oil buying savings. Applications to the Affordable Warmth Scheme can also be made through NIEAS. Further information is available at https://www.nihe.gov.uk/energy

People can also check the Consumer Council's Home Heating Oil Price Checker which provides up-to-date pricing information from suppliers across Northern Ireland and can help customers identify the most competitive prices

available in their area. The Oil Price Checker is available at: https://www.consumercouncil.org.uk/home-heating/price-checker