To ask the Minister for the Economy to detail any actions her Department is taking to help homeowners and landlords, especially in rural areas, to move away from fossil fuels, particularly oil dependence, to an energy efficient alternative.

At present, financial assistance is available through the Northern Ireland Sustainable Energy Programme (NISEP), for fully supported, and part funded schemes, for the installation of energy efficiency measures and heat pumps, with most of the funding targeted at lower income customers.

My department has recently consulted on future support of low carbon technologies in residential properties, which closed 10th January 2025.

The views provided will support my department in the development of policy to inform options regarding the design, rules, and guidance of future support for low carbon heat, which will include energy efficient technologies like heat pumps.