An initiative to help elderly people in Co Donegal avoid getting hypothermia is to be launched by the Minister for Social and Family Affairs, Ms Coughlan.
Temperature cards are to be issued to the elderly in the county from Monday. These will show the room temperature, and ensure heating remains between 18C and 21C.
Fuel costs for home heating absorb 24 per cent of the income of elderly people living on the basic old age pension, according to Government figures. The number of elderly people in the north-west is set to double in the next 20 years, and an estimated 95 per cent of them choose to live at home.
Mr Roger Adair, Action Energy team manager with Donegal County Council, stressed the need to extend the initiative nationwide.
The cards are being distributed through social welfare local offices, health centres, doctors' surgeries and Donegal County Council public offices.