Ms Michelle Murphy:

It is very challenging because, as the Deputy pointed out, the datasets do not necessarily talk to each other and there is also a time lag between the CSO data and the SEAI data. It should be possible to ensure, expeditiously, that those datasets talk to each other. This goes to the previous point around how we measure the impact of the money that is being invested in retrofitting on energy poverty. How do we measure, for example, the impact of retrofitting local authority or social housing? If we do not have data, it will be challenging to communicate the positive outcome of retrofitting to people. At present, there is a challenge around communications because people see retrofitting and energy upgrading as a cost but we also have to communicate the positive benefits and the actual outcomes of that work. To do that, we need to have data to hand. For organisations such as Social Justice Ireland that are trying to measure the impact or the potential impact of policy, not having those data is challenging. The most up-to-date census data are due out next month and there is probably space within the small area of population statistics for that kind of micro-level data on the issue of energy poverty. Data that are available at a really local level would tie in with the issue of community energy advisers identifying by need and making sure that resources go to where they are needed most.