Minister Rabbitte opened the Energy Action poverty Conference in Dublin Castle on 6th-7th Feb 2012. This two-day event builds on the recent launch of the Affordable Energy Strategy and will provide a forum for those working in the area to share key information, experience and perspectives so as to identify effective solutions to the fuel poverty issue. Minister Rabbitte noted that
‘The last year has not been as easy one for any of us. We’ve all felt the pinch – from Government Departments to community-based organisations and charities – and most especially those who we serve, the people struggling to pay their bills.’
The Affordable Energy Strategy was published late last year and aims to target the mitigation of energy poverty amongst low-income households in Ireland and represents the delivery of one of the programme for government commitments. The Minister highlighted the efforts of the many charitable organisations working with those in energy poverty,
‘I greatly value the work of the many community organisations represented here today, who reach out and make links with those who are often worst off and hardest to reach. The next few days promise to be crucial to the development and implementation of energy poverty policy.’
There are 48 actions set out in the strategy across three timeframes: those that can be delivered within the short-term i.e. less than 12 months, those that will take up to 18 months to deliver and those that are projected to take longer. This reflects the nature of what needs to be done and the complexity of the energy poverty issue. The short term measures outlined will be immediately actioned by the Inter-Departmental/Agency Group on Affordable Energy and its members