Martin Browne (Tipperary, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Some people woke up this morning in cold houses and apartments. Are they doing so because they are fundamentally opposed to the idea of making their homes warmer and more energy-efficient? Of course they are not. These are some of the many people for whom the cost of retrofitting is prohibitively expensive and out of their reach. This plan will be of particular benefit to people with the financial means to avail of it but it leaves out the working families and renters who are struggling to get by daily. The way it is designed basically facilitates the transfer of wealth. Many people in society are paying a disproportionate level of carbon tax, compared to their income, because they are unable to afford the required retrofitting.

What are they going to get in return? They will get far less than those with greater means, despite their contributions. Under the Government's plans, the people with less and who are being hit hardest with the increased cost of living and fuel costs, are going to be asked to take on more debt to make their homes energy-efficient. This is not an equitable way of rolling out this scheme. Sinn Féin has already proposed a far more accessible way of dealing with this issue by graduating grants based on income or on ability to pay. Such an approach would target those most in need, and target them at an earlier stage given their greater need, including those social housing.

As the Government's current plan stands, it will channel money from renters and those on low incomes to those with the means to pay. When it comes to the low-cost loans scheme, it will not be opening until the autumn or winter. Can the Government then really say that it has taken the welfare of families into account when putting this scheme together?

My final point is about ensuring households have recourse in cases where the work carried out is not up to standard. I have been made aware of works carried out in Tipperary that another contractor has found to be substandard. The work, which included windows and heat pumps, was signed off without the owner's consent. The SEAI reinspected the house last October and has not done anything to help since then. The family is now faced with spending at least €20,000 to rectify the problem but has been refused any assistance by the SEAI or the original contractors. I will contact the SEAI and the Department about this because it cannot be allowed to continue. This is a serious issue and there must be some recourse for homeowners who are in this situation. I would appreciate if the Minister would get in touch with us in regard to this case and to outline to the House the level of oversight that will be applied to any works carried out under this scheme in the future.

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