Heating Oil Support Payments Delayed Until Summer
The distribution of a support package for households using home heating oil will be delayed by at least three months, according to Communities Minister Gordon Lyons.
On Thursday, the Northern Ireland Executive committed £19.2 million to supplement £17 million previously allocated by the UK government for the scheme.
The initiative aims to provide up to 340,000 households with a £100 payment to assist with heating oil costs.
Communities Minister Gordon Lyons stated that the additional funding will come from the executive’s budget.
"It will certainly be the summer at the earliest, it will take at least three months to be able to get this into place, which again speaks to the need for that immediate help to come from London for people across the UK," Lyons said.
He further acknowledged the limitations of the scheme.
"I want to be very up front with people in Northern Ireland in saying today I understand this is not enough, I understand that this will take time, but we have limited levers at our disposal, we're trying our best to get out what we can as soon as we can."
Nearly two-thirds of homes (62.5%) in Northern Ireland rely on oil for heating, the highest proportion in the UK.
The price of home heating oil has surged due to the ongoing conflict involving the US, Israel, and Iran.
The scheme targets households with a combined income of £30,000 or less, or those receiving certain benefits, including pension credit.
Payments will be issued as pre-paid vouchers, with applications required to be submitted online.
Lyons indicated that more immediate relief for households and businesses could be provided by the UK government.
"Ultimately, if we're really serious about helping people here, we need to see our government at Westminster do what they can with the levers that they have, levers that are not open to us," he told Good Morning Ulster.
"We can do this simply and quickly by cutting fuel duty, by looking at tax and VAT - that is what can bring immediate relief to people.
Instead we've been given a sum of money that doesn't go far enough."
Progress on Executive Budget Agreement
On Thursday, First Minister Michelle O'Neill confirmed that the executive had decided to fund the heating oil scheme while negotiations on a multi-year budget continue.
Discussions have been ongoing since January to approve a budget covering the next three financial years.
A multi-year budget would enable Stormont departments to plan their spending over a longer term; however, no such budget has been agreed for over a decade.
Significant pressures in the health, education, and justice departments have complicated reaching an agreement.
A Stormont source described the executive as "stretched to breaking point," noting that the current funding allocation is insufficient for the next three years.
The executive is also considering agreeing to a budget for 2026-27 only, which would require returning to negotiations before the end of the year to set a budget for 2027-28.
The timing of the next assembly election in May 2027 may further complicate budget discussions for that year.
When asked about progress on the budget, the First Minister described it as "still a work in progress," but expressed hope for a multi-year plan.
O'Neill rejected claims that the executive is seeking "special treatment," emphasizing the importance of fairness for people in Northern Ireland.
The Deputy First Minister also commented on the situation.
"I am not a fan of begging bowl politics, but in this case, the government is not delivering in the way that it should."
