A reduction in winter deaths in both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland has been welcomed by the Institute of Public Health (IPH) in its annual update on fuel poverty* and health.

 

However, the IPH has also expressed concern at an islandwide increase in fuel poverty, with gains in energy efficiency and incomes being negated by rising fuel prices. The annual update follows the first ever All-Ireland Policy Paper on Fuel Poverty and Health published by the IPH last December.

 

Launching the Annual Update on Fuel Poverty and Health, IPH Senior Policy Officer, Dr Helen McAvoy said that, although the number of deaths is highly variable year to year, there was a significant decrease in the number of people dying in winter months in the period 1982-2005.

 

Much of this improvement appears to be taking place since 2000. There were 1,950 excess winter deaths recorded on the island of Ireland in 2005 so there is still room for improvement. (Excess winter deaths refer to the number of deaths occurring in the winter months [December-March] compared to the rest of the year [April-November]).

 

Dr. McAvoy said: “We welcome the finding that the number of deaths on the island associated with colder months has declined. It is certainly heartening to see that in Northern Ireland, the impact of a one degree of temperature shortfall** on deaths in the 1980s was three times that in the period 2000-2004.”

 

The IPH points to a number of issues that serve to reduce winter deaths on the island including the roll-out of flu vaccination campaigns, improvements in domestic heating and energy efficiency.  

 

However the IPH also raised concerns that a recent trend of rapidly rising fuel poverty in both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland may threaten these important health gains. The Northern Ireland Executive is today finally unveiling its fuel poverty plan which will extend further measures to tackle the fuel poverty crisis.

 

The health impacts of fuel poverty are being highlighted not just in recent research but also by advocacy groups for older people, the homeless, lone parents and children’s organisations. While deaths of older people in the winter months remain of fundamental concern, research published by Save the Children Northern Ireland this month highlights the damaging health effects of fuel poverty on children.

 

Dr. McAvoy said “the economic downturn and fluctuating fuel prices mean that for many people the challenge of fuel poverty is becoming even more immediate.”

 

The Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) predicts a rise in fuel poverty in the Republic of Ireland from 16% in 2005 to 19% in 2008. Meanwhile, results from the Northern Ireland House Conditions Survey 2006 estimate that levels of fuel poverty rose from approximately 25% in 2004 to 34% in 2006.

 

“Alleviating financial strain and protecting the health and social well-being of fuel-poor householders must remain a priority across government. With growing unemployment and significant cost increases during the past 12 months for home heating, there is a risk of fuel poverty increasing even further across many groups in society, but most acutely amongst vulnerable groups including the unemployed, working poor and renting families,” said Dr McAvoy.

 

Commending the establishment of an Interdepartmental Group on Energy Affordability in the Republic of Ireland and a Northern Ireland Fuel Poverty Taskforce in 2008, the IPH said that strategies for targeting fuel poor householders most in need must encompass the owner-occupier, private rented and social housing sector and not be limited to those claiming social welfare/benefits.

 

“A number of measures were introduced in 2008 to assist vulnerable householders to budget for fuel including increases in fuel allowance and the launch of ESB Smart-Meters in the Republic of Ireland. The IPH is hopeful that evaluation of these measures will further guide policies to protect the health of fuel-poor householders and further reduce excess winter deaths.”

 

Dr McAvoy concluded “As fewer new houses are being built, improving the energy efficiency of the housing stock will increasingly rely on the retro-fitting of older houses which needs to be adequately resourced by government in both jurisdictions.”

 

The Northern Ireland Executive is expected to launch their response to the recommendations of the fuel poverty taskforce today, Monday, 15 December 2008.

Arlene McKay, IPH Communications Officer: +44 (0)298 90648494 or +44 (0)7734 903944.

 

NOTES TO EDITORS
The Institute of Public Health in Ireland is an all-island body which aims to combat health inequalities and influence public policy in favour of health. Its remit is to promote co-operation for public health between the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland including the areas of monitoring and surveillance. Further information can be accessed at www.publichealth.ie

 

 

Data from EU-SILC 2007 (released after the Update went to print) shows that the trend for improved incomes in older people indicated in the Update has now been reversed – the at risk of poverty rate for older people rose from 13.6% in 2006 to 16.6% in 2007.