Ossian Smyth (Dún Laoghaire, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

Deputy Doherty said the retrofit scheme is a transfer of money to the rich. I heard that from another Deputy also. I really take issue with this. Our scheme will see an historic amount, €352 million, being spent to make people's homes warmer. That will reach nearly 30,000 families. Of the €352 million, €203 million is being given to families who are either living on welfare or in local authority housing.

It is directly targeting people living in energy poverty. Indeed, 58% of the money is going to people who are in energy poverty. That is coming from general taxation. How is that a transfer to the rich? I cannot see how that statement is being made again and again.

Carbon tax alone is not the answer. It has to be done in co-operation with other policies. The Deputy knows that there are many other policies. He knows that we have a massive retrofit programme. He is aware that we have cut the price of public transport fares and there is significant investment in public transport. He knows that there is massive investment to provide people with the alternatives of walking and cycling. The Deputy knows that there have been significant increases in welfare-----

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