Richard O'Donoghue (Limerick County, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I will give the Taoiseach some facts. He said not to worry about 2008. In 2008, we were paying €6.44 per gallon of diesel. In 2022, we are paying €7.46 per gallon. In 2008, the cost of a gallon of petrol was €5.90. In 2022, we are paying €7.89. The current price of a barrel of oil is $93. It was $162 back then.

The Taoiseach spoke about retrofitting. Does he realise what retrofitting is? Since the announcement of the retrofitting scheme, the price of insulation has gone up by 17%. The Government has put in place a grant process, which is grand, but the cost of labour has gone up and the cost of materials has gone up. Retrofitting in terms of insulation and steel is oil based. All the Government has done in terms of the introduction of the retrofitting scheme is drive inflation through the roof because there is a lack of supply. I know that because I am a contractor. I see it every day.

The Government is so out of touch that it has increased inflation with the retrofit scheme. The grants should be increased with inflation. Let us take the example of a retrofit that costs €50,000 with €23,500 put in by the Government. If the cost of that retrofit goes to €70,000, the Government should bring its investment up to €35,000. That is how to deal with the issue. The Government has destroyed this country with inflation and tax.

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