Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey has come under pressure to begin the immediate roll out of the £200 fuel support payment as families struggle across the region with the recent inclement weather.

SDLP Communities Spokesperson Mark H Durkan has called for the payment support to be made available to those already struggling.

The payment, which is not expected to be made until March, is not available to those on legacy benefits.

Mr Durkan has contacted Minister Hargey about the availability of the scheme and asked for clarification of when payments will be rolled out.

Foyle MLA Mr Durkan said: "I have repeatedly highlighted the importance of getting this money to people quickly. This should have been sorted out before Christmas and now we are looking at a payment to support people through a difficult winter being issued in spring. There are people in communities across the North living in cold and damp conditions and this money would be a real lifeline, the reality is that many people simply cannot afford to heat their homes.

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"I have also raised significant concerns about the exclusion of people on legacy benefits from the scheme. While the department has cited administrative difficulties, proper planning could have ensured this scheme helped as many people as possible. Working families are also in desperate need of support and they are justifiably frustrated and angry that they have been continually overlooked by Minister Hargey.

"The Minister's apparent lack of interest or appetite when it comes to supporting the many families on the breadline who have not met the criteria for any support schemes to date has left them feeling like an afterthought. Tens of millions of pounds have been underspent by Stormont departments and should be used to help hard pressed families.

"This scheme was announced over a month ago, it's been dangled in front of freezing families for too long, it must be issued without further delay."