Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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My questions relate to the retrofitting scheme. The CSO data on housing and energy use show a clear pattern where some areas with older buildings have very low and poor energy systems. Is enough being done to have focused, area-based initiatives? The retrofit programme is admirable in many of its intentions, particularly its focus on anti-poverty measures, but it seems to rely on sustainable energy communities to develop that area-based approach. Otherwise it is individual applications to the one-stop shop. Should the Government not try to go in with a focused offer to some of the more poorly insulated areas that could easily be identified on a map?

Is there greater clarity now on the low-interest loan? The concept is that deep retrofits could be funded by loans that would be paid down from the savings from the energy bills. That is a really important aspect of this if it can be made work. Is the Government clearer on the rate? Will it be 3%? When can it go live?

I am conscious that there are 620,000 homes with smart meters but to our knowledge only 40,000 have access to options that could help them reduce the cost of energy by using electricity when it is cheaper or when renewables are on the grid. Could initiatives be taken to activate those smart grids at this time of acute difficulty?

An issue that is arising again is our gas security. Can the Corrib field be drawn on to supplement our supply at this time of very great difficulties or is its output fixed? Is the traditional position of opposition to LNG up for review in the context of energy security or is it unchanged?

What is the Minister's view on the short-term contingency measures that may have to be prepared for in the context of the continuing conflict in Ukraine?