Northern Ireland pensioners set to receive £100 winter fuel support

Pensioners in Northern Ireland affected by recent cuts to winter fuel support will receive a one-off payment of £100, with £50 allocated for each additional eligible household member. This initiative, announced by Stormont Communities Minister Gordon Lyons, is expected to benefit approximately 179,000 households, with a total funding of £17 million sourced from an in-year monitoring fund. Despite this payment, concerns have been raised by the Commissioner for Older People for Northern Ireland, Eddie Lynch, who emphasized that the amount is insufficient for those who previously received larger winter fuel payments. Officials have confirmed that they are on track to distribute the payments directly into bank accounts before the end of March. The overall value of the payments is estimated to be around £18 million, which includes administrative costs. Committee chair Colm Gildernew expressed his approval of the payment amidst criticisms of the government's cuts to winter fuel support.