Michael Fitzmaurice (Roscommon-Galway, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I support the motion. Some types of retrofit work, such as heat pumps and insulation in roofs, but doing insulation inside or outside older houses is an expensive job. Doing a deep retrofit costs about €90,000. Unless there are interest-free loans, it is not going to work. People do not have the money because they have their tongues out trying to keep themselves warm, never mind retrofitting a house. That is problematic.

On top of that, and this is calling it very clearly, a certain number of people are qualified to do retrofitting but builders may do the work for a person and forget about the grant that could make the job cheaper. I have seen cases of that. Under the Government's warmer homes scheme, most people do not get a deep retrofit but get only an oil or gas boiler. Condensing boilers are more efficient but they are not ideal because they will rely on oil or gas into the future, although they reduce bills somewhat. There are other options the Government has not looked at. If reducing emissions is the goal, why has it not considered hydrogen fuel, which is coming into the country at the moment? It reduces emissions by 90%. We have not gone down that road, which would help people and also help meet the targets.

Having ideals is grand and so is believing that next summer we might be in a better place. This winter is about keeping the lights on, keeping people warm in their homes and keeping food on the table. People are under pressure. I ask the Government to ensure in the budget that all the vulnerable sectors and middle Ireland are looked after. If it fails to do that, we will be in trouble.

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