Ruairi Ó Murchú (Louth, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Regarding the better energy warmer homes scheme, it has already been said that we have 9,000 households awaiting works and an average wait time of approximately 27 months. That should tell the Minister straight out that this is not working. We all accept that we need to make huge inroads on climate action. I think everyone would accept that we are in a very different world now and we need to make sure we do all that is necessary in order that we are not all under water or in far worse conditions over the coming years. For us to do that, we have to ensure that we have fit-for-purpose grants and actions taken by the Government.

We are dealing with queues and difficulties and obstacles that people say are being thrown up as they attempt to do the right thing by retrofitting. That has been going on since long before we ended up in the situation we are in now. We know that we need to move away from fossil fuels, not just because it is the right thing to do or because we are addicted to them but also because, beyond that, we do not have the strategic autonomy that is required. That is the determination being made across Europe, so we need to look at this again and ensure we target those who most need these retrofits. The problem is we have put in place schemes and systems whereby those who have the most money and, in some cases, the best houses, including from the point of view of heat and energy retention, are able to go out into the world, put their money on the table and get the retrofits, whereas those who are living in the worst of conditions are not getting what is necessary. We have to address that.

We need a huge upscaling in local authorities to make up for underinvestment over the years. I am sure the Minister will hear many arguments. We need something that works.

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