Mary White (Carlow-Kilkenny, Green Party)

An important first step in addressing this issue was the establishment by their Minister, Deputy Ryan, of an interdepartmental and inter-agency group to cut delays and drive policy in the area of affordable energy. This group's wide membership reflects the complexity of the issue and recognises the need to identify those who are at risk of energy poverty.

The forthcoming affordable energy strategy will be an essential tool in building upon the many measures already in place to protect households at risk from the effects of energy poverty, which vary from financial supports like the fuel allowance and household benefits package to thermal efficiency-based measures such as the warmer home scheme. There has been considerable discussion about the need for a national retrofit programme and I am delighted to see support from both sides of the House for the new efficiency programme which will commence in January 2011, following the successful consultation exercise that concluded in September.

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