Northern Ireland Finance Minister John O'Dowd has asked the UK Government for direct financial aid to help residents facing sharp increases in home heating oil costs. He contacted Chief Secretary to the Treasury James Murray to arrange talks with the Stormont Executive.

O'Dowd stated the Executive lacks funds for a relief program estimated to cost hundreds of millions of pounds. Economy Minister Caoimhe Archibald has reached out to UK and Irish ministers on the energy crisis affecting homes and businesses.

Around two thirds of homes in Northern Ireland use heating oil for heating. The market for heating oil stays unregulated, in contrast to gas and electricity.

The Consumer Council reported an 81% jump in the price of 500 litres of heating oil within one week after Middle East conflict started. Chancellor Rachel Reeves noted challenges specific to heating oil users in the region.

Treasury minister Lord Livermore met MPs, including those from Northern Ireland, to discuss the issue. Reeves stated in Parliament that public money will not go to heating oil relief.

Archibald wrote to Department for Energy Security and Net Zero Minister Michael Shanks about pressures from rising global oil and gas prices. She called for support like measures after the 2022 Ukraine invasion, which cut unit costs for electricity and gas and offered business discounts.