Thousands of Irish householders will suffer from ill health this winter due to rising energy costs, it has been claimed.

The stark warning his been issued by the country's leading renewable energy association.

The Renewable Energy Skills Skillnet (RESS) said financial constraints on customers, coupled with energy inefficient homes, would result in many families unable to heat their home.

These factors are set against a backdrop of an "inadequate" fuel allowance scheme and forecasts of a cold winter, according to RESS.

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The industry-led organisation said that on average a fill of a tank of home heating oil will cost €800, compared to €600 in 2007.

RESS has now called on the government and Local Authorities across the country to examine ways of alleviating the pressures on the elderly and low-income households to heat their homes during the coming months.

"In particular, the government should look at increasing the winter fuel allowance, which operates for 30 weeks from September to April," said Johnny Flynn, RESS Chairperson.

"The existing fuel allowance of €18 a week barely covers the cost of a bag of coal, which would not even keep the smallest of homes heated for a week," he claimed.

Mr Flynn said the authorities should consider expanding the Greener Homes Scheme to include local authority rented accommodation units

"RESS urges all Local Authorities to prepare contingency plans to assist tenants in meeting high-energy costs and heating their homes," he added.

(PR/JM)