Ms Colette Bennett:

In relation to housing, the Deputy referenced Croí Cónaithe. It is welcome for those for whom it works but there are issues with the implementation of it. There are upfront costs and a lack of bridging finance to access it because you need to have the property to be able to do it up and then get the rebate. A review is necessary on the implementation of that to make it more effective and broaden its remit.

On energy, I am sure my colleagues will talk about fuel poverty. For those who can afford to put in solar and to retrofit, there are valuable SEAI grants; for those who do not fit within the narrow eligibility criteria of the social homes one, there are upfront costs that can be €35,000 to €50,000, which many cannot afford. It is back to implementation. There needs to be a review of how to make that more accessible to people who desperately need it.

On rural transport, Ms Lennon will probably say there are many things to discuss. My colleague came on the bus this morning while I came on the train because the time of this committee was right. I have attended committees that sat in the afternoon or evening and have had to drive from Athlone because there is not a train that will get me back after 7.20 p.m and there is not a bus until 10 p.m. It is about implementation, building on what has been done and making sure it is accessible, that people are not being left behind because of the gaps in what is there and that there is a broader spread.