Newry Armagh Sinn Féin Sinn Féin -- Building an Ireland of Equals

Release of £150 fuel payments will help those most in need - Brady

Published: 16 April, 2009

Sinn Féin MLA for Newry/Armagh and the Party's spokesperson on the elderly Mickey Brady has welcomed news that the £150 household fuel payments have been released through the benefits system. An extra £7.5million is being added to the scheme which will help those most in need. The increased funding will bring the number of people eligible for the payment from 100,000 to around 150,000.

Commenting on the developments Mr Brady said,

"The release of this payment over the past number of days will be welcomed by the many households in Newry and Armagh that have been affected by rising energy costs have found themselves living in fuel poverty."

"This is yet another positive result and is a further demonstration of how local administration can benefit local people. Fuel poverty is a very important issue, particularly with among the elderly."

"The increase in funding from the original £15million to now £22.5million will be welcome news to those who are in difficulty, particularly in this financial climate."