BY MARK MCKELVEY

It is not only homeowners that are experiencing the financial squeeze caused by the dramatic rise in energy costs, as the Western Trust have revealed the adding extra pressures this is causing it, especially at a difficult time of budget constraints.

With over 100 facilities in the Western Trust area that are predominantly powered by oil is causing great financial difficulties, as it tries to make enforced government savings of £37 million over the next three years as part of a Comprehensive Spending Review (CSR).

As the Trust tightens its belt, its director of finance Leslie Mitchell says the stark rise in fuel and energy costs is an added burden in the efforts to meet the CSR targets.

She said, "The fact that energy costs have gone through the roof over the past 12 months has caused added pressure. We have been told that oil prices are predicted to rise further, with a 48% price increase in the next 12 months. From a Trust perspective this has severe financial implications."

Expressing a wish to move towards greener and also cheaper energy sources such as solar panels and biomass boilers, chief executive of the Western Trust, Elaine Way revealed there is unfortunately stumbling block that exists in getting the initial financial outlay to install these systems.

The chief executive did however say that the New Building Capital schemes that are creating the new acute hospital in Enniskillen and area hospital in Omagh have greener, more efficient energy sources incorporated in the plans.