A national support group for the elderly has warned there could be 1,500 to 2,000 excess deaths this winter due to exposure to the cold and lack of preparaton for bad weather.
Age Action Ireland said today 16,300 Irish pensioner households, or 7.5 per cent, can't afford heating fuel. It launched a new booklet - Energy for Older People,which aims to help older people avoid hypothermia and use energy more efficiently this winter - in Dublin today.
Age Action spokesman Mr Paul Murray said there are between 1,500 and 2,000 excess winter deaths over other seasons each year. "This, by implication, can be attributed to Ireland's lack of preparedness for bad weather, unlike in Scandinavian countries where there are few seasonal variations."
The organisation today called on the public to be aware of heating needs of the elderly during the coming months. Heating, and fuel poverty, can be increasingly relevant as we get older, it explained, describing fuel poverty as "an inability to heat one's home to an adequate, safe and comfortable temperature, owing to low income and poor, energy inefficient housing".
While the highest incidence of fuel poverty is found among lone parents, the next social group most affected is the male lone pensioner, the organisation said.
The new booklet is a joint venture between the ESB and Age Action, and includes information on energy efficiency, suitable appliances, electricity safety, keeping homes safe from fire, and payment for electricity. It also offers advice on electrical contractors and entitlements.
Some 50,000 copies of the new booklet are available from Age Action charity shops in Dublin's Camden Street, as well as in Castlebar , Co Mayo and Galway city. Copies can also be requested by ringing the information service at 30-31 Lower Camden Street, Dublin, 01 4756989, or the ESB.
Age Action Ireland is the national network on ageing and older people. It promotes better policies and services for all older people, especially those who are most disadvantaged and vulnerable.