Kieran O'Donnell (Limerick City, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State. The one home, one visit rule needs to be amended. There needs to be consistency across all schemes in terms of what is covered and how the schemes are administered. Through the better energy warmer homes scheme, which is a grant scheme, and the one-stop shop scheme, everyone, no matter who they are, should be able to access the same range of measures. That needs to happen.

The grants will have to be increased for the new retrofit scheme that is going to be announced. They will have to be accessible so that people from every walk of life, including people dealing with fuel poverty and those on social welfare, can access the entire range of measures. We cannot have a situation where people who claimed under a scheme prior to 2018 are omitted and are left with single-glazed windows. That needs to be changed to double-glazing, at a minimum. I look forward to that review taking place.

I also look forward to the announcement of the new retrofit scheme that will include multiple visits to households and is based on ensuring that all schemes are consistent, including the better energy warmer homes scheme. I also hope that grants will be extended and other forms of supports are available to ensure that all families in houses can avail of the retrofit programme. I also hope that the waiting times are brought down.

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