Social Development Minister Margaret Ritchie MLA has offered her support to a new Energy Efficiency Scheme being launched by Northern Ireland Electricity.

The scheme offers 1,500 energy efficiency grants to provide free insulation and heating control measures to those on low incomes.

The Minister said: "Fuel poverty is a real scourge on our society. I have made a commitment to work towards the eradication of fuel poverty in all households by 2016. It is only through supporting people and working in partnership with a range of organisations that we can begin to address the problem.

"We are particularly keen to reach those on low incomes, and the grants offered by NIE will directly target this vulnerable group. It therefore gives me great pleasure to offer my support to the scheme."

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There are 1,500 free energy saving packages available from NIE’s Energy Efficiency Programme for people on lower incomes to put in not only insulation but also heating controls such as thermostatic radiator valves, room thermostats and hot water heating separate controls.

Jenny Boyd, NIE energy services manager, welcomed the Minister’s support. She said: "Not only will NIE pay for you to have the insulation and heating controls installed, at no cost to you, but the energy saving measures will go on saving you money off heating bills for years.

"Around a third of all the heat lost in an un-insulated home is lost through the walls. The insulation acts as a blanket, trapping the heat from the house below. If you have cavity walls, insulating them will make a great difference. You can save between £130 and £160 per year off your heating bills by putting in cavity wall insulation. By covering the cost, NIE is hoping as many low income householders as possible will apply for the scheme and keep warm this winter."

(CD/SP)