AN organisation battling fuel poverty in Britain has plans to set up in Northern Ireland - but an initial meeting with government contacts failed to lead to any further movement, the group has said.
The Fuel Bank Foundation, which helps the most in need households with their pre-paid electricity and home heating oil, is hoping to move into the region and partner with organisations and charities but was looking for support from Stormont, including possible funding.
It operates across Britain, partnering with approximately 200 different groups, and has helped close to one million households in its six year existence.
The organisation said it also receives financial support in the "several millions" from the Scottish and Welsh governments.
But Siobhan O'Loughlin, the foundation's head of impact claimed there was no response from the government here following an initial meeting last year.
"We wanted to help people with vouchers if on pre-payment or with their oil and there are high numbers of those in Northern Ireland," said Ms O'Loughlin. "We had one meeting, by Zoom, but no contact since."
She said she it not immediately clear which government department the organisation dealt with.
A local fuel bank programme, believed to be the only in the north and set up by Bredagh GAA club and traders in south Belfast last year, said it is encouraging people to do all they can to help those most in need in the face of "eye-watering" rises in energy costs this winter.
Colm O'Reilly, chairman of the Ormeau Road Business Association, one of the groups involved in the Ormeau Fuel Bank, said it was a good idea to encourage those who are well off to divert resources to households that may have to choose between eating or heating at times this winter.
"The best we can do is raise awareness of the avenues to be able to donate money for people to actually get power, heat and gas," Mr O'Reilly said.
"Any opportunity that we take to do that, to get money flowing in the best way is greatly welcome."
He credited Bredagh GAC chairman Malcolm McFarlane for developing the fuel fundraising campaign late last year, which followed from a food bank drive involving various groups in the Ormeau Road area during lock down.
The Ormeau Fuel Bank operates a portal allowing people to donate money, which is then passed on to St Vincent De Paul and the Salvation Army.
Those groups then identify people most in need and cover the costs of their fuel or electricity, without directly handing over the cash.
The Department for Communities was contacted.
