SVP trebles fuel aid to families as calls for help rise

St Vincent de Paul (SVP) has had to treble its financial aid to families struggling to pay household fuel bills, a conference on fuel poverty has been told.

The charity’s outlay on fuel assistance rose from €3.79m in 2008 to €10.37m in 2011, its latest figures show.

In spite of SVP’s help, it is estimated that 1,200 people are dying as a direct result of fuel poverty every year.