Launched in 2012, the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) scheme in Northern Ireland aimed to encourage the use of ‘eco-friendly’ wood pellet boilers by offering subsidies. Flaws in its design led to subsidy rates that were higher than the actual cost of the pellets, allowing participants to profit by overusing fuel. This misuse of funds was a factor in the collapse of the Northern Ireland government in January 2017.

In September, Economy Minister Caoimhe Archibald announced that the Executive had agreed on a plan to close the scheme, which includes an increase in tariff rates for those still using the boilers this winter. However, the Department for the Economy later revealed that payments to people who bought into the scheme will continue until 2036, costing an additional £196 million, plus £17 million for administrative expenses.

We have seen billions of taxpayers money going up in smoke to satisfy the greed of those who had cronies in the system. This scheme should have been closed long before now as the abuse of the scheme is well documented. We had a situation where people made money by burning as much fuel as they could. Thus, sheds and barns were left with boilers running twenty four seven with doors and windows wide open. All of this was taking place while the draconian welfare reform was agreed and introduced by the Executive.

The Workers Party is calling on the Executive to stop this madness. The plan according to a newspaper report would dramatically increase the payments quadrupling them and locking them in for a another decade whilst making the scheme easier to abuse. This department which was responsible for the introduction and oversight of this “burn , burn and fill your boots it’s money for nothing” philosophy cannot be allowed to continue this cavalier attitude to public money.

At a time when poverty is growing, multiple deprivations and health inequalities are growing, and food banks are increasing, our health and social care services, educational ,and special needs services are all being underfunded. Pensioners and working class families are having to decide between eating and heating, These proposals are unconscionable. The scrutiny committee needs to do its job and all of the parties need to call a halt to this insanity. The needs and priorities of working class people need to come before multi-national corporations and those who have accumulated huge profits from this scheme.


13th October 2025