Charity warns of fuel hike hardship despite payouts

THE St Vincent de Paul Society last night warned that increases in welfare benefits would do little to help families meet the cost of fuel bills, after steep rises in the price of both electricity and gas.

Welfare Minister Seamus Brennan yesterday confirmed increases in payouts following Sunday’s 33.8% rise in gas bills, and a predicted 19.7% hike in electricity costs in January.

SVP, however, said too few people were eligible to claim the payouts, leaving them facing difficulty in paying their heating and light bills this winter.