Up to 40% of households now in energy poverty 

Conference heard current models focusing primarily on people’s incomes mean others also experiencing fuel poverty are being excluded from relief measures.

The number of Irish households which have descended into energy poverty has increased from 29% to roughly 40% in just four months, a conference has heard.

Households in energy poverty spend at least 10% of their disposable income on energy costs. It has increased markedly due to the spate of price hikes by utility companies, the cost-of-living crisis and the colder weather.