Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees

Tuesday, 23 May 2023

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action

Energy Poverty: Discussion

Ms Michelle Murphy:

Yes, just briefly, on a point Deputy Farrell made about the installation of the heat pumps, which is really important. I certainly think there is a role for looking at the labour market itself, regional imbalances, apprenticeships and our long-term training strategy. It is hoped there will be a huge roll-out of heat pumps, so the questions are whether we can provide on-the-job training to local people to ensure that is done properly and what role, for example, the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, SOLAS and community education providers have in doing that and addressing the key issue Deputy Farrell pointed out. We then have this unhelpful narrative developing. I certainly think there is a role for the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science and others involved in skills development to look at this because we need to consider the issue and the whole issue of meeting our climate targets and the labour force that is required for that. Certainly, there is space for this committee to look at that.

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