Up to 43% of Irish households could be at risk of fuel poverty if energy price hikes continue and bills increase by a further 25%, a new report has revealed.

The latest ESRI report made for stark reading, with Sinn Féin representative Claire Kerrane TD calling for urgent government action to help struggling individuals and families across the country.

Teachta Kerrane said: "This report underlines the need for action from Government today, not in four months' time, at the Budget when much announced doesn't actually kick in until 2023. 

"Government also cannot focus solely on the Fuel Allowance in its current form as it is far too limited and doesn't reach all those who need assistance with rising energy costs. We need to see the Fuel Allowance eligibility widened, we along with the Society of St. Vincent de Paul have asked for it to be extended to low income households in receipt of the Working Family Payment." 

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Within the ESRI report there was a call for more regular data collection to be able to track energy poverty.

Speaking about this suggestion, Sinn Féin's Darren O'Rourke TD added: "The 2016 Strategy to Combat Energy Poverty committed to establishing an Energy Poverty Advisory Group, with the purpose of reviewing and reporting to the Minister on an appropriate methodology for measuring and tracking energy poverty levels in Ireland.

"Despite its critical importance, this never happened. Without such appropriate methodology, it is very difficult for the state to map those in energy poverty, to measure the impact rising energy costs are having on people, or on the impact policy decisions such as the carbon tax are having on households.

"There is a serious lack of data in this area – which means energy poverty cannot be properly tackled.

"As we saw with the €200 electricity credit – this could not be targeted to those most in need. The last Energy Poverty Strategy lapsed in 2019, and has not been replaced, despite our repeated calls.

"It highlights a shocking disregard for addressing those living in energy poverty and a lack of will to address it.

"Claire and I will be bringing forward a Bill in the coming weeks to ensure an updated Energy Poverty Strategy is brought forward and to establish the Energy Poverty Advisory Group, as per the 2016 recommendation."