Alan Dillon (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister for being in the Chamber and facilitating this debate. The recently announced national retrofitting scheme is, thankfully, at a level of significance to make a real impact in modernising Ireland's housing stock. It is an incredible investment with the potential to bring the energy rating of thousands of older homes up to a much more pertinent BER of B2, leading to significant energy cost savings. For instance, the new national home energy upgrade scheme and the 2030 target encompass 30% of the housing stock, which is very welcome. This is among the most ambitious retrofit programmes worldwide in terms of underpinning climate policy, the scale of ambition and the of commitment of Government funding, which I understand will come from ring-fenced carbon taxation.

The benefit for upgraded households will be increasingly important, given the spike in energy prices. Coming from a rural constituency on the Wild Atlantic Way, I expect the literary musings of the many writers living in the Clew Bay area will shift from references to whistling howls in their homes to descriptions of a warm and cosy surrounding. That should be put on record. The reality is this retrofitting scheme is the type of targeted funding that protects those who are spending most heavily on energy costs. The significant increase in the number of free energy upgrades for those at risk of energy poverty is the smart thing to do in this instance. I would like to see more than 400 homes per month being retrofitted but I recognise it is up from an average of 177 per month in 2021.

I would appreciate clarity from the Minister in respect of the one-stop shops. The one-stop-shop model is key to ensuring people considering the scheme have access to a hassle-free start-to-finish project management service, including access to financing. Will these one-stop shops be pop-up arrangements or will they be online? I believe the in-person element will be required, particularly for older people who may have a high interest in availing of funding under the scheme but may not be willing to pursue it online. I ask the Minister to send me a note on that issue, if possible.

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