To ask the Minister for the Economy to outline any support her Department is providing for low-income households struggling with high energy costs, particularly those in rural areas which are not on the gas grid.

The Executive’s strategy – the Path to Net Zero Energy, aims to move away from the imported fossil fuels that put us in the position of a “price-taker” while ensuring access to essential and affordable energy for all. The future net-zero energy system will be transparent, fair, and inclusive of all consumers and communities, including those people on low incomes or in rural communities. There is funding available through the Northern Ireland Sustainable Energy Programme (NISEP) to install household energy efficiency measures, enabling lower income households to reduce energy consumption and carbon emissions.