To ask the Minister for Communities to detail any steps he is taking to ensure that those in receipt of £100 home heating oil grants will get value for money when purchasing oil.

My Department is engaging with a range of stakeholders to inform the practical delivery of the home heating oil support scheme. This has included discussions with the Northern Ireland Oil Federation representing local oil distributors, National Energy Action, the Fuel Poverty Coalition, and the Consumer Council for Northern Ireland. Further engagement is planned throughout the process to help consumers get value for money.

The Oil Savings Network, part of the NI Energy Advice Service, funded by my Department and delivered by the Housing Executive offers support and advice on purchasing oil. This scheme is open to all householders and further information can be found here: https://www.nihe.gov.uk/housing-help/ni-energy-advice/oil-savings-network. This scheme will be actively promoted as part of the launch of my Department’s Heating Oil Support Scheme.

In parallel, the NI Energy Advice Line, provides free and impartial advice on managing fuel costs, accessing support schemes, and making informed decisions about energy use, including options available to oil heated households.