Derry Against Fuel Poverty has said it is “devastated” that gas customers in the Derry and Strabane council area will not benefit from a heat support scheme.
A charitable donation of £240,500 to the Bryson Group who will provide payments of £100 of emergency fuel support to 2,405 households.
The group said gas customers will not benefit from Derry City and Strabane District Council’s Emergency Fuel Support Programme.
Spokesperson Sinead Quinn said: “We’re absolutely devastated for gas customers in the Derry City and Strabane District Council area that were hoping to apply for help with heat from this fund this winter.
“We pushed hard for the establishment of this fund which was so important in the absence of an Executive.
“It is absolutely shameful that Firmus Gas have not moved mountains to facilitate gas customers accessing support via the scheme when oil & electricity companies were able do so without much issue.
“This isn’t a time for excuses, it’s time for pulling together and going the extra mile.”
She added: “Gas heating is the preferred method of home heating system in new build social housing developments across Northern Ireland.
“Maybe it’s about time Department for Communities considered alternative forms of heat if gas suppliers are so unwilling to meet their own regulatory responsibilities to their customers during the worst attack on living standards in fifty years.
“Whilst it’s now too late for the people of Derry & Strabane, we call on the Utility Regulator to investigate and address the issue immediately so that other council areas do not encounter the same resistance.
“Derry Against Fuel Poverty remains committed to highlighting the struggle for those of us on low incomes, in and out of work, and will keep on fighting, whatever way we can, in the absence of a resolution to this ongoing crisis.”
Spokesperson for firmus energy said the company is surprised and disappointed that Derry City and Strabane District Council has decided not to include gas customers in their fuel hardship payment scheme.
A spokesperson added: “Firmus energy would welcome the opportunity to support the Council on this scheme and has been working with this scheme’s administrators on other funds to ensure payments are provided to those that qualify.
“There are well proven processes in place to ensure payment vouchers are distributed effectively and we are more than willing to facilitate this Council scheme. We stand ready in whatever way that we can.”
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