Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

Regarding the exact end-of-year figures, whether it is 27,800, 26,800 or 27,000, there are certain factors that are outside our control. These are 27,000 homes that must make a decision regarding timing and so on. One way or the other, either side of that figure is not the key measure. I am aware that 44,000 applications have been received, so the pipeline for next year is looking strong.

The real constraint has been around the workforce. If you talk to anyone, you will realise that the demand is limitless at the moment.

For contractors, there is a huge volume of interest. The restriction was in the number of workers. Improving this, as the Minister, Deputy Harris, is doing through the apprenticeship schemes, is the key way to get those numbers up.

Turning to further developments and schemes, we are working now on the final stages of our climate action plan for next year. We will have to publish it in mid-December. We will consider other measures across all the different sectors, but we have not signed off on those details yet so I will have to come back to the Deputy on this aspect.

See this speech in context