Debate contribution: Home Heating Costs

Debate contribution by Mr Matthew O'Toole on 20 April 2026.

MLA: Mr Matthew O'Toole
Party at the time: Social Democratic and Labour Party
Date: 20 April 2026
Type: Debate contribution
Business: Oral Answers to Questions
Heading: Home Heating Costs
Assembly identifier: Official Report component 5493509

Text

I welcome the fact that an announcement was made last week, following weeks of the Executive bickering and shifting blame. We will, however, want to hear more, and I welcome the fact that the Minister has indicated that more is to come. The scheme also needs to properly help people who use gas, particularly those who are on lower incomes. There are many reputable providers of home heating oil, and I am not in any way saying that all providers will profiteer, but, given that home heating oil is entirely unregulated in Northern Ireland, there is nothing, legally, to stop home heating oil providers simply jacking up the price of 500 litres of home heating oil before the Minister's scheme starts. What conversations has the Minister had with home heating oil providers to ensure that the benefits of the scheme will be passed on properly and that there is no profiteering?

151 words. Text as published by the Northern Ireland Assembly.

Part of an exchange

This follow-up belongs to: Oral question AQO 3424/22-27.

Assessment

Not analysed

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