7% of households left out in the cold

>> Twice as many will go without heat this winter >> Figures show the 'devastating' inflation impact

- FERGHAL BLANEY

MORE than twice as many people can’t afford to “adequately heat their homes” this year, a survey has found. 

The Central Statistics Office figures revealed 7% of households would be forced to keep their heaters off – up from 3% in 2021.

The survey also showed almost 900,000 people, up from 715,000 last year, suffered deprivation with almost a quarter of a million of these children.

Another of the CSO’s Survey on Income and Living Conditions, Enforced Deprivation findings was one in two households reported difficulty in paying bills or making ends meet at some time this year.

Social Justice Ireland’s Suzanne Rogers said the cost of living crisis is having a “devastating” impact and she added the Government must act. She said: “This shows us the impact the rising cost of living is having on people’s daily lives.