Fuel poverty conference to hit Dublin on Feb 7-8

Fuel poverty conference organisers Energy Action have been helping people to get out of fuel poverty for 21 year

The pioneering energy charity Energy Action is set to hold a two-day fuel poverty conference in Dublin Castle on 7-8 February.

“The introduction of the carbon tax on fuel costs in 2010 has further exacerbated the health and monetary problems for the fuel poor,” said Energy Action general manager Charles Roarty. “Due to low income and possibly debt these households will not have the funds needed to pay for retrofitting measures, even allowing for SEAI’s Home Energy Saving scheme grants.”

Having insulated 28,000 homes in its 21 year history, Energy Action’s knowledge of the fuel poverty problem in Ireland is second-to-none. The objective of the first Energy Action Fuel Poverty Conference is to provide a forum for those working in the area to share key information, experience and perspectives in order to identify superior solutions to the fuel poverty issue. The conference will review current policy and best practice with regard to fuel poverty and energy affordability in the Republic of Ireland, Northern Ireland, the UK and Europe.

The event will examine the health implications of fuel poverty and also consider how best to identify and deliver sustainable solutions to the on-going problem of cold, damp and expensive to heat homes. It will focus on the necessary steps to provide solutions for the thousands of people across the country that live in or at risk of fuel poverty.

The Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources will host the conference – which will focus on addressing fuel poverty as a matter of urgency – and will give the opening address.

“Fuel poverty is a multi-faceted and urgent issue that can only be solved through a range of different policy and practical measures,” said Roarty. “Within Ireland there is a growing focus on the issue due to the economic downturn and the imminent publication of the Irish government's fuel affordability strategy, while further new policy initiatives are being rolled out in the UK and Northern Ireland.”

The conference will facilitate dialogue between policy makers, local authorities, politicians, health experts, building practitioners, energy utilities and various agencies supporting vulnerable people. A number of workshops will be held during the event, which is pitched at policy makers, local authorities, utility companies, NGOs, health practitioners, private contractors including UK/Northern Irish players, and politicians from both north and south of the border.

The conference workshops will enable genuine discussion and debate around key issues. “We want to maximise the opportunity for informal sharing of views and perspectives and to that end networking, including the evening dinner is a key component of the conference,” said Roarty. “This event will facilitate dialogue between the key stakeholders – policy makers, regulators, local authorities, politicians, health experts, social researchers, building practitioners, energy companies and the various agencies supporting vulnerable people in Ireland north and south.

To book your place at Energy Action’s Fuel Poverty Conference visit http://fuelpovertyconference.com/