Peter Cleere (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister's enthusiasm and commitment to this. In order to speed up delivery of the warmer homes scheme, we must tackle the shortage of skills in the retrofit sector. The programme for Government commits to providing more upskilling and training opportunities in retrofitting, to establish new courses in green skills to support Ireland's transition to a green economy and industry centres of retrofitting excellence nationwide. Once delivered, this vital training will go a long way towards reducing wait times. I urge the Minister to work with the Minister for further education, Deputy Lawless, to prioritise these commitments so that we can deliver much-needed retrofits to the most vulnerable in society at a quicker pace. I acknowledge the improvements that we have seen in the scheme but we need more pace and I welcome the Minister's drive in achieving that.

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