Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Affordability is critical. If we look at it from a positive standpoint first, about 162,000 homes have been supported for energy upgrades and 55,000 of those are B2 upgrades. We have to look at B2 or B2 equivalents and where the house is going. To improve the energy and heating in a home, particularly in older homes, the cost of getting to B2 can be substantial, if not prohibitive. That is why the loan scheme, which was launched last year, the home energy upgrade loan scheme, has been extended to seven credit union groups and there are two new lenders of that money, namely, An Post and Permanent TSB, as well as Bank of Ireland and AIB. Applicants can get a long-term loan of up to €75,000 at an average rate of 3%. That is a very keen rate, and while it is not as keen as the rate in Denmark that Deputy Moynihan mentioned, some loans are actually below 3% and there will be a lot of competition in the sector. With the grant that is available, which is substantial, the low-interest loan and the payback for the homeowner through reduced energy bills and more efficiency, it is a very good proposition. I want to improve it further and I am assessing that right now.

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