Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent) | Oireachtas source

Apologies have been received from Senators Garvey and Gavan.

Members are required to participate in the meeting remotely from within the Leinster House complex only. I remind all those in attendance to ensure their mobile phones are switched off or on silent mode. I welcome the witnesses.

Before I start, I wish to explain some limitations to parliamentary privilege and the practice of the Houses as regards the references witnesses make to other persons in their evidence. The evidence of witnesses physically present or who give evidence from within the parliamentary precincts is protected pursuant to both the Constitution and statute by absolute privilege. However, a number of today's witnesses are giving their evidence remotely from a place outside the parliamentary precincts and as such may not benefit from the same level of immunity from legal proceedings as witnesses physically present.

Witnesses are reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice that they should not comment on, criticise or make charges against any person or entity by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable, or otherwise engage in speech that might be regarded as damaging to the good name of a person or entity. If witnesses' statements are potentially defamatory in relation to an identifiable person or entity, they will be directed to discontinue their remarks. It is imperative they comply with any such direction.

Members are reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice that they should not comment on, criticise or make charges against a person or entity outside the Houses or an official, either by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable.

Before we start the meeting, I would like to take a moment to acknowledge the passing of our former clerk, Mr. Paul Kelly, in late December. Paul was a dedicated and conscientious worker with over 37 years of public service. He had worked in the Houses of the Oireachtas since 2006 and served as clerk to many committees, including the Joint Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement; the British-Irish Interparliamentary Assembly; the foreign affairs committee; the transport, tourism and sport committee; and, most recently, this committee.

Paul was always fond of a bit of devilment, including updating me on the woes of Roscommon football, but he had a kind and easy way about him. He was also known for his dedication to charity work, particularly his work with today’s witnesses from St. Vincent de Paul. Paul was also a head steward at Sunshine House in Balbriggan, where he organised weeklong summer holidays for children aged between seven and ten from disadvantaged parts of Dublin and surrounding countries. He did this for years and brought many other civil servants on board. A friend recently wrote of him that he made sure the children in Sunshine House only got the best, as it was their entitlement. Paul's health had been in decline for the past while and he died far too young. I am glad of the time we all worked together with him and hope he is at comfort and peace now. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.

The committee will now consider the impact of energy poverty and the retrofitting of homes in rural and urban areas. In particular, it will consider the effectiveness of the fuel allowance as this is an item the joint committee has had on its work programme for some time. It is imperative in these colder weeks and months that those most vulnerable in society have sufficient heat in their homes to stay healthy and well.

St. Vincent de Paul's 2023 Warm, Safe, Connected? report highlighted the impact of energy poverty on mental and physical health outcomes for people. The report found parents living with the stresses of unmanageable energy costs have an increased risk of depression. The long-term impact of energy poverty on children living below the poverty line is immeasurable.

The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland, SEAI, administers the national retrofitting scheme. Key measures include a national home energy upgrade scheme providing increased grant levels to bring homes to B2 BER standard; the one-stop shop offering project management services, including access to financing for home energy upgrades; a significant increase in the number of free energy upgrades for those at risk of poverty in the better energy, warmer homes scheme, up to 400 per month from an average of 177 per month in 2021; and a special enhanced grant for attic and cavity wall insulation for all households to reduce energy use as part of the Government's response to the current exceptionally high energy prices.

The massive increase in the cost of energy has led to an acute level of need. Official enforced deprivation statistics from 2022 showed the number of people unable to keep their home adequately warm had more than doubled since 2021, rising to 377,000. There is little doubt this has only increased with the rapid increases in the cost of living over the past two years.

I welcome from the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland, Dr. Ciaran Byrne, director of the national retrofit programme, Mr. Brian O'Mahony, head of community and national retrofit, Ms Ruth Buggie, programme manager, and Mr. John Randles, head of delivery of the national retrofit programme. From the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, I welcome Dr. Tricia Keilthy, head of social justice and policy, and Ms Issy Petrie, research and policy officer.

I invite Dr. Byrne to make his opening statement.