Mr. Tom Halpin:

I thank the Chair. The specifics in respect of Covid, from the first imposition of restrictions in March 2020 on, were in accordance with the guidance agreed with our parent Department and other Departments. The scheme was actually shut down. There were no retrofit works permitted whatsoever. That was the guidance to all contractors. Our contractors, under the procured scheme Dr. Byrne referred to, were not providing any allocations for a period of several months from March 2020 and then for the subsequent second and third lockdowns. Again in agreement with our parent Department, even when the restrictions on construction were lifted, it was agreed not to restart works under the schemes because of the particular vulnerability where cocooning was still the public recommendation and the vast majority of homeowners in the warmer homes scheme are vulnerable due to age, infirmity or other underlying conditions. Specifically during the periods of 2020, 2021 and into 2022 there were periods where no operations were permitted, no houses being allocated and no works being delivered. I suspect that amounts to circa 12 or 14 months of no operation.