Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy. We would be genuinely happy to consider any proposals the Rural Independent Group has for the forthcoming budget. To be clear, these high energy prices will last, unfortunately. We do not know for how long but it could be six months or longer and that is during the winter period when energy demand is at its highest.

In relation to energy efficiency, which the Deputy mentioned, the budget for the SEAI's residential and community retrofit programmes was increased to more than €109 million in 2021 from only €47 million the year before. I acknowledge there is a waiting list but the budget has more than doubled. That will help us get a lot more done.

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