Home energy efficiency schemes are being negated by rising fuel costs, the Institute of Public Health in Ireland (IPH) has said.

According to IPH, more people are facing fuel poverty and subsequent cold related deaths as a result.

With 70% of homes in Northern Ireland relying on oil for heating, and oil prices soaring even more than prices for other fuel, the region has been hit particularly hard in recent months.

The number of people dying from coldness has increased steadily in Northern Ireland since 2003.

There was a 23% increase in the number of people dying in the winter of 2008, compared to the winter of 2007.

Excess winter deaths are now approaching 1,000 per year in Northern Ireland, according to figures.

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IPH Chief Executive, Dr Jane Wilde said the current economic downturn presents a "formidable challenge" to tackling fuel poverty on the island.

"There have been considerable improvements in energy efficiency in the residential sector, but progress could be faster and increasingly concentrated on reaching people who are fuel poor," she said.

The IPH report states 2009 was "a prolific year for public consultations, reviews of policy and partnership building involving governments, State agencies, local authorities and voluntary organisations."

The review highlighted the launch of the Warmer Homes Scheme, the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development’s rural fuel poverty initiative and a number of specific fuel poverty initiatives undertaken by National Energy Action.

Report co-author Professor Christine Liddell, University of Ulster, said a number of steps could help reduce the likelihood of fuel poverty.

"Steps such as improving the energy efficiency of homes and fitting ‘smart metering’ and better commitment to standards in rental accommodation.

"Research is urgently needed to evaluate current and proposed energy saving measures, analyse the circumstances of cold-related deaths, and investigate the effects of fuel poverty on health and wellbeing," she added.

(PR/KMcA)