Social Development Minister Nelson McCausland has welcomed the publication of the latest Home Energy Conservation Authority annual report.

The report, published by the Housing Executive, highlights that fuel poverty remains a major issue for the people of Northern Ireland with the main causes being the high cost of fuel prices and low household income.

Minister McCausland said: "Fuel poverty remains a very real issue for many people in Northern Ireland, particularly at this time of year when temperatures begin to fall. Given the Energy Regulator's recent comments that the era of high energy prices is going to be with us for considerable time, I know that many of us share this concern.

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"In April 2011, My Department launched the Fuel Poverty Strategy 'Warmer Healthier Homes' which set out our vision for the future as a society in which people live in a warm comfortable home and need not worry about the effect of the cold on their health.

"The strategy emphasised the need for a partnership approach to tackling this issue. My Department has responsibility for improving domestic energy efficiency and working closely with the Housing Executive, as the report highlights, much has been achieved."

(CD/IT)