Darren O'Rourke (Meath East, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

One of the things we need to do, which would be enabled by clarity on definitions, is better mapping and managing of data, for example, on income, CSO data, population data and also BER data from the SEAI. That would allow us to have clear targets for energy poverty reduction built into our national retrofitting plan. I have raised this issue with the Minister before and he pointed towards what is almost an overlap with the warmer homes scheme. As a result of the eligibility criteria, there is a significant overlap there, but we need a greater strategic focus in that regard. I would welcome the Minister's thoughts on that.

In the meantime, there is a need for wraparound services, for example, energy advisers, in the intervening period, as has been recommended by a number of stakeholders. They could, for example, help people switch providers and be more energy efficient in their existing, often challenging, domestic circumstances.

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