Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)

I have had discussions with the Minister for Social Protection. She advised me this was one of the sides deals done between the former Ministers for Social Protection and Finance, but was not announced in the budget. She also advised me it was the conclusion, she believes, of both Ministers in the previous Government that they would not be around to answer for it, therefore they did not have to put it into the public domain. They made the decision and she inherited it in her Department. She has restored the position to 2007 levels.

I ask the Deputy to examine the affordable energy plan published at the weekend. We highlighted the fact that, believe it or not, over the past ten years some €2 billion has been spent on fuel support schemes but only €70 million on the improvement of the thermal efficiency of homes. We have to address that as the single biggest issue confronting us, and one which is likely to tackle the issue of energy poverty.

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