Older people living alone could face deepening financial hardship if targeted supports are not introduced to offset rising fuel costs, according to ALONE.
The organisation is urging the Government to prioritise this vulnerable group in any measures expected to be announced following Cabinet discussions on energy costs. It warns that newly released data from the Central Statistics Office (CSO) highlights a worsening financial outlook for older people living alone.
Findings from the CSO’s Survey on Income and Living Conditions show that this was the only household group whose financial situation declined in recent data. ALONE cautions that further increases in energy prices could accelerate this trend unless specific supports are introduced.
Older people are particularly exposed to rising fuel costs due to their reliance on fixed incomes, leaving little room to absorb price increases. Many are also heavily dependent on oil for home heating, making them especially vulnerable to fluctuations in energy prices. According to ALONE, around 40% of older people are already cutting back on heating to manage costs.
The scale of the issue is reflected in demand for support services. In 2025, ALONE assisted nearly 46,500 older people, with one in three reporting financial difficulties. The charity says it has seen a growing number of individuals seeking help with basic expenses, particularly heating.
Chief Executive Seán Moynihan said the situation is likely to worsen without intervention. He noted that older people living alone are already slipping further into poverty, even before the full impact of rising fuel costs is felt. Those on fixed incomes, he said, are among the first to feel the effects of price increases and are least able to cope.
While the Government is considering extending the Fuel Allowance, ALONE is calling for the full 32-week payment season to be restored. The allowance was reduced to 28 weeks in 2012 and has not been returned to its previous level. Restoring the additional four weeks, the organisation argues, would help ease pressure on households and prevent energy-related debt.
ALONE has also highlighted gaps in other supports. The Living Alone Allowance has not increased since 2022, and the Household Benefits Package has remained unchanged since 2013. The organisation is advocating for a €10 weekly increase in the Living Alone Allowance to better reflect rising living costs.
Without targeted action, ALONE warns more older people may be forced to ration heat and cut back on essentials, with serious consequences for their health and wellbeing.
