Ms Margie McCarthy:

The Deputy will have seen the recommendations. We would like to reinforce or re-emphasise that the estimation techniques and methodologies that are adopted by the SEAI in this are the ones recognised by the European Commission through the energy-efficiency directive.

We conduct reviews looking at best practice and have regular engagement with the International Energy Agency on correcting those and ensuring that the assumptions are being as conservative and realistic as possible.

The second point I would make is that the assumptions we make in those estimations are based on measured data. We did take measurements. That was in the report, and the committee has probably seen that. We then extrapolate from them for other fuel types and other dwellings, so those assumptions are based on what was measured originally.

We take the point that the original assumptions and measurements were done in 2013 but we also recognise the thermodynamics around those estimations do not change. Our intention is to obtain more measured data. We are doing a small study on the effectiveness of heat pumps that will allow us to look at the data sharing agreements with end users as one part of the exercise. We will then look at an independent look at our assumptions.

We are working closely with the utility providers to ensure we can get access to data around which there are GDPR constraints. We also note that the CRU was working on a code for smart meter data access, which is due to come out in 2024. We hope this will be a significant change for us in terms of being able to get end user data. This is essential. Everything we do is on the basis of evidence and data.