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

First, our retrofit schemes are the most effective mechanism. We have immediate measures such as the fuel allowance, but the best way of tackling fuel poverty is to deal with the problem at source and to improve the building fabric so that people do not have to spend money, especially on wasteful or inefficient fossil fuel heating systems. Our strategy in that regard is very clearly towards a socially progressive approach. The largest share of the funding we get from carbon tax goes to the warmer homes scheme, which is explicitly targeted. It is not just that, there are also the social housing inventions made by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. The relentless year-on-year targeting of those at risk in that way is the best way of addressing the problem. The fact that each year we know we have an additional €89 million coming, which is outside the budgetary system, has allowed us to give clear signals to the industry that this is going to continue to scale up.

It is working. We have a really successful approach.

On the Deputy's second point on advisers, I agree that is an important element. Through the difficult period of the past two to three years, we have seen the systems in place are working effectively. The companies working with MABS, the likes of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul and our internal debt management teams have helped us through this process. They all have backup resources to help the most acutely affected. There are still many households in difficulty. We are not out of the woods yet. A particularly significant number of households are still in debt arrears on gas bills. We have direct customer support systems and they have helped people through this difficult period.

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