Irish fuel poverty is among the highest in Northern Europe. The number of excess deaths that take place in Ireland each winter as against summer is greater than for countries with similar or colder climates, such as Canada, Denmark and Norway. When their homes are insulated, older people are afforded greater warmth, more comfort, reduced health risks, and all at a reduced cost to them. Fuel bills are generally lower, thus releasing meagre income for other essentials.

Older people are entitled to this level of comfort and to a reasonable degree of security. The provision of basic home security (mortice locks, door chains, window locks, spy holes etc.), allied to greater warmth, provides senior citizens with the comfort and security in their homes they deserve.

Besides insulating and making the home more secure, the pensioners are befriended and given practical advice as well as being issued with a leaflet on energy saving and a thermometer card. On average, the worker calls on the pensioner a minimum 5 times, from initial survey visit, followed
by questionnaire, for draught-proofing, for attic insulation and for home security, and very often builds up a rapport and trust, winning the confidence of the older person. Sometimes other problems come to light, which are referred to the appropriate services for attention.

ALL SERVICES (with the exception of Energy Audits) ARE PROVIDED FREE OF CHARGE TO HOUSHOLDERS IN GREATER DUBLIN AREA
(subject to certain conditions)

In order to qualify for the services, the recipients must be:

1. in receipt of an old age pension,
2. in receipt of a disability pension,
3. in receipt of a blind pension.

To receive the home security service persons must be in receipt of an old age pension and must quote their pension number when applying. They must also be living alone at the time of applying.