Debate contribution: Domestic Electricity Support
Debate contribution by Dr Caoimhe Archibald on .
- MLA
- Dr Caoimhe Archibald
- Party at the time
- Sinn Féin
- Date
- 19 May 2026
- Type
- Debate contribution (made as a minister)
- Business
- Oral Answers to Questions
- Heading
- Domestic Electricity Support
- Assembly identifier
- Official Report component 5549467
Read the official Assembly record
Text
I thank the Member for that question. I am on record several times as saying — and I think that there is consensus across the Chamber — that this is not the scheme that we would have designed, as we would have wanted to target those in most need. The constraints have been imposed by the British Government because of their scheme design. I am keen to explore any way that we can to support people who are in fuel poverty. I met with Community Foundation NI, and we are working to develop an effective communications campaign to encourage people who feel that they do not need the £30 credit to voluntarily donate it to a fuel poverty charity. That matter was raised by the Chair of the Economy Committee at the last Question Time. We intend, as I said, to work with the Consumer Council and other consumer advocates to develop a communications plan on that. Applying the discount in September, when the summer is over, will, hopefully, be more impactful for people because electricity use starts to increase going into the autumn. That will be a better time for people to receive the support. It also gives us a bit more time to develop an awareness-raising campaign to let people know how they can donate the £30 to those who need it more.
225 words. Text as published by the Northern Ireland Assembly.
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