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

I agree that we need to go further. This history of this scheme is that there was a time not that long ago when it was difficult for the SEAI to get sufficient applications and interest from people and they were advertising it. They do not have to advertise it now. People understand what retrofit is and they want it. There is no cost to this scheme. It is targeted at people in energy poverty. When there is a price of zero on something there is going to be a queue, particularly when it delivers such incredible value and changes people's quality of life. It is natural that there are more people applying for it than there is availability. However, we have massively increased work, with up to 400 homes a month being retrofitted. The volume of the scheme has increased, as has the amount of money going in. The Deputy has acknowledged that the number of staff has increased.

The Deputy has said he would like to see more local contractors. Retrofit is really suited towards local contracting, just like any form of home renovation. It is something that is better done locally. I will have a look at the procurement documents on this and see if there is any form of geographic lotting on it. I take the Deputy's point.

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