She was speaking following the UK Government's announcement of £53 million in support for households following a sharp rise in the cost of heating oil due to the outbreak of the US-Israeli war with Iran.
The Lagan Valley MP has said: “The UK Government has acted. Now I am calling on the Economy, Finance and Communities Ministers to engage with Westminster without delay and put in place a scheme that ensures struggling households do not miss out on their share of this £53 million.
"Behind every statistic is a family dreading the cost of keeping their home warm. That is who I have been fighting for, and I’m glad my calls last week were not just heard but heeded at the highest levels of Government. But the job is only half done.
“68 per cent of households in Northern Ireland depend on home heating oil, and this must be front and centre of how this money is distributed. Proportionality isn't a preference; it's a matter of basic fairness.
"I also want to be clear that this must be targeted where the need is greatest - For those in the benefits system and working families just above those thresholds who are struggling too.
"There is no central database of home heating oil customers in Northern Ireland, and we are not part of the GB energy market, so bill-based delivery won't work here.
”These are real challenges, but they are not insurmountable if Ministers move urgently. I've been assured over the past week that they've been working on this. Now is the moment to show it."
The Lagan Valley MP has said: “The UK Government has acted. Now I am calling on the Economy, Finance and Communities Ministers to engage with Westminster without delay and put in place a scheme that ensures struggling households do not miss out on their share of this £53 million.
"Behind every statistic is a family dreading the cost of keeping their home warm. That is who I have been fighting for, and I’m glad my calls last week were not just heard but heeded at the highest levels of Government. But the job is only half done.
“68 per cent of households in Northern Ireland depend on home heating oil, and this must be front and centre of how this money is distributed. Proportionality isn't a preference; it's a matter of basic fairness.
"I also want to be clear that this must be targeted where the need is greatest - For those in the benefits system and working families just above those thresholds who are struggling too.
"There is no central database of home heating oil customers in Northern Ireland, and we are not part of the GB energy market, so bill-based delivery won't work here.
”These are real challenges, but they are not insurmountable if Ministers move urgently. I've been assured over the past week that they've been working on this. Now is the moment to show it."