-7C KILLER CHILLER

Elderly & vulnerable urged to keep heating on as Arctic blast hits

- FERGHAL BLANEY and SEAN MURPHY

IRELAND is bracing itself for -7C temperatures and the icy blast could last until next week.

A mass of Arctic air is to settle over the country leading to treacherous driving conditions until Monday.

The elderly are urged to keep their heating on despite cost fears and efforts to help the homeless are under way.

Minister Heather Humphreys said: "I don't want to see any old person afraid to turn on their heating.

STAY WARM

Elderly and vulnerable warned to keep heating on whatever the cost as temperatures to hit -7C. Alert for motorists as snow & ice set to make roads dangerous in first big freeze for three years.

ELDERLY and vulnerable people were yesterday urged to keep warm whatever the cost as temperatures are set to plummet to -7C. 

Social Protection Minister Heather Humphreys said they should keep the heating on and not be afraid they’ll freeze to death because they can’t afford skyrocketing energy bills.

She was speaking ahead of the first “big freeze” in three years that is expected to hit the country this week.

The minister has expanded the fuel allowance scheme and broadened the net to include another 80,000 in the scheme this winter.