Northern Ireland's Economy Minister Caoimhe Archibald stated that the Executive will keep pressing the British Government for energy support if costs rise further. She addressed MLAs on Monday.

Archibald called the £17 million allocated to Northern Ireland from a £53 million UK package inadequate. The package responded to heating oil price spikes linked to the Middle East war. She noted household oil costs nearly doubled since February 26.

The minister meets regularly with UK ministers Michael Shanks and Martin McCluskey from the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero. She plans to request more aid if the conflict sustains high prices.

Archibald said the Executive lacks resources for the needed scale of support due to existing underfunding.

Further energy assistance awaits Executive approval for rollout on July 1.

An £81 million package for Northern Ireland from Chancellor Rachel Reeves's autumn budget targets electricity bills. It provides a £30 reduction per household over three years. A statutory instrument tabled at Westminster last Monday enables the scheme from June.

Archibald secured approval for Northern Ireland after initial exclusion from the UK scheme. Her department prepared implementation despite Treasury rules limiting funds to the £30 discount.