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08/12/2008
Cancer Patients Face Fuel Poverty, Says Charity
Social Development Minister Margaret Ritchie has been urged to widen the criteria for beneficiaries of the government's fuel payment scheme, to assist those suffering from terminal illnesses.
It has been claimed cancer patients are among those who need the most urgent help.
Macmillan Cancer Support said covering fuel cost can pose a huge stress for those suffering from the disease.
It is expected the problem could be even worse this years, after a number hikes in energy prices.
MLA were due to debate the issue at Stormont (pictured) today where North Down Assembly Member Leslie Cree had tabled a question for Ms Ritchie asking whether there are plans to extend the winter fuel allowance to cancer patients.
People over 60 in the Province are entitled to the winter fuel payment.
However, around 600 under the age of 60 die of cancer in Northern Ireland every year.
Extending the scheme to these individuals would cost around £150,000 annually.
Heather Monteverde, Macmillan's General Manager for Northern Ireland, said: "We believe that all cancer patients diagnosed in the last year should qualify for a winter fuel payment, regardless of whether or not they receive a disability payment.
"Urgent action needs to be taken to help the terminally ill," she added.
(PR)
It has been claimed cancer patients are among those who need the most urgent help.
Macmillan Cancer Support said covering fuel cost can pose a huge stress for those suffering from the disease.
It is expected the problem could be even worse this years, after a number hikes in energy prices.
MLA were due to debate the issue at Stormont (pictured) today where North Down Assembly Member Leslie Cree had tabled a question for Ms Ritchie asking whether there are plans to extend the winter fuel allowance to cancer patients.
People over 60 in the Province are entitled to the winter fuel payment.
However, around 600 under the age of 60 die of cancer in Northern Ireland every year.
Extending the scheme to these individuals would cost around £150,000 annually.
Heather Monteverde, Macmillan's General Manager for Northern Ireland, said: "We believe that all cancer patients diagnosed in the last year should qualify for a winter fuel payment, regardless of whether or not they receive a disability payment.
"Urgent action needs to be taken to help the terminally ill," she added.
(PR)
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