Mr. Dermot Byrne:

We are looking for behavioural change and a willingness to invest. I believe that people like investing in their homes, be it through a new kitchen or whatever else. People go out of their way to invest money in their homes and seem to benefit from it. More people are working from home as a result of the pandemic and children are at home. The benefit of having a warmer home is all the more evident for people who have it and its absence is also more evident to those who do not, in terms of increased bills and a lack of comfort. Perhaps as a result of having to work and school from home during the pandemic, there will be a desire among people to improve the performance of their homes. We are there to support that through grants but, more than that, it is about getting a decision made to go to a credit union and borrow money.

There is a sense that when such changes start to happen in a neighbourhood, a person can see other people doing it and can visit those homes. We hope that people who have the work done will allow others into their homes, tell them what they have achieved and that it is fantastic. If one speaks to people who have had the work done, one will hear how remarkable are the changes in comfort, warmth and well-being that one can get. All sorts of other benefits, including health benefits, flow from that. This momentum is going to build and we have a role in helping that to happen through our communications, mass media campaigns and working with communities on the ground. If somebody is, for example, getting work done on a road, we should have a sign on the road stating, "This is being supported by SEAI; come in and have a look". If we can get to a stage where people are willing to share their experiences, it will be a powerful motivator for others to make the switch. Perhaps that is an answer to the Senator's first question.