Communities Minister Gordon Lyons plans to propose direct financial support for Northern Ireland households earning £30,000 or less annually to cover heating oil costs. The measure targets about 340,000 households with payments of around £100 each.

Stormont ministers discussed managing rising fuel costs affecting farmers, businesses and households. Lyons, a Democratic Unionist Party politician, stated that the UK government's £17 million pledge for heating oil bills requires matching funds from the executive to provide meaningful aid.

Lyons indicated the plan focuses on lowest-income groups, including those not receiving benefits, for home heating oil expenses. He noted implementation would take two to three months if approved.

Economy Minister Caoimhe Archibald said the executive lacks resources for substantial intervention and called the £17 million insufficient. Ministers have pressed Westminster for more funding alongside talks on a multi-year budget.

First and Deputy First Ministers invited Northern Ireland Secretary to Thursday's executive meeting, though he will address Finance Minister John O'Dowd from London. Last week, they wrote to the Prime Minister requesting support measures.

Matthew O'Toole, Social Democratic and Labour Party assembly opposition leader, criticised the executive for shifting responsibility to London without first consulting trade unions, farmers and businesses.