Social housing tenants should also benefit from the extended green rates rebate, according to a west Belfast MLA.

Jennifer McCann called on Finance Minister Nigel Dodds to make provisions for the most vulnerable in society.

Ms McCann said: "By not extending the 'Green' rate relief scheme to those who qualify within the social rented sector you will exclude people who have carried out energy saving measures to their homes at their own cost.

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"Responsibility to ensure that socially rented homes are made energy efficient and therefore electricity and heating bills are kept to a minimum ultimately rests with the Housing Executive and other housing associations," she said.

The Sinn Fein MLA claimed some tenants have implemented energy saving measure at their own cost, against a backdrop of rising oil, gas and electricity prices.

"Other energy efficiency schemes such as the Warm Homes Scheme and the NIE Energy cashback scheme also need to be delivered on the basis of need and targeted to tackle fuel poverty," Ms McCann said.

The assemblywoman sad those renting in the social housing sector, who qualify for a green rate rebate in their homes, should not be 'penalised' in any way.

(PR/JM)