Ms Clare O'Connor:

I fully agree with Deputy Ó Cathasaigh that it is a very implementable and achievable thing to do, that is, to deploy community energy advice services. It would be vital that this service link in with the Irish Cancer Society and other NGOs dealing directly with people in that lived experience of energy poverty so they can identify who needs that advice and have that more proactive approach to getting that information out. There are some good grants out there and the information is there but it is that issue of getting that information to people in really difficult circumstances and that is where community energy advice service would come in, linking that information and the grants that are out there with people who are most in need and do not have the capacity a lot of the time to proactively go and get that information. There are also issues around digital literacy. At the moment, you are expected to navigate the SEAI website to find information about grants. I am working in energy and I would still struggle to navigate that website as it is quite difficult. A more proactive approach is needed and whether that is through the local authorities, the SEAI website or a separate entity, we need to iron that out.