Ms Orla Coyle:

I was involved in the cost-optimal study. Under the EU energy performance of buildings directive, every five years we do a cost-optimal study. We look at the lifecycle assessment of a building which includes maintenance, installation and running costs, as well as taking into account carbon costs and inflation through fuel costs, etc. This all feeds into a cost-optimal study. That defines where we are in terms of building regulations and what level we are trying to achieve.

We take typical building stock. However, as Mr. Jim Gannon mentioned, one can get that odd house that will not fall into the typical building stock category. The cost-optimal study defines certain insulation levels and heating and lighting system performance levels which are available on the Department’s website. The cost-optimal study gives the details of the spec and where we should be targeting to get the best energy performance while looking at the macro-costs. The latter account for the initial capital costs, as well as running, maintenance and carbon costs. Does that make any sense?