Results 6,421-6,440 of 7,961 for speaker:Imelda Munster

Public Accounts Committee: 2021 Financial Statements of the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland: Discussion (9 Mar 2023)

Imelda Munster: This is for my own curiosity. The SEAI has no interest in keeping an eye on that. People could be left waiting for two years.

Public Accounts Committee: 2021 Financial Statements of the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland: Discussion (9 Mar 2023)

Imelda Munster: That is what I mean. Dr. Byrne does not have the figures to hand. He came to the meeting without the figures. People the length and breadth of the country are giving out about the delays.

Public Accounts Committee: 2021 Financial Statements of the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland: Discussion (9 Mar 2023)

Imelda Munster: I know all that and I do not want our witnesses to talk down the clock. They do not have the figures to hand.

Public Accounts Committee: 2021 Financial Statements of the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland: Discussion (9 Mar 2023)

Imelda Munster: Can we have them then, please?

Public Accounts Committee: 2021 Financial Statements of the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland: Discussion (9 Mar 2023)

Imelda Munster: Perhaps we can get those figures at the break. I am seeking the ratings prior to works and at their completion. How many are currently on the waiting list?

Public Accounts Committee: 2021 Financial Statements of the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland: Discussion (9 Mar 2023)

Imelda Munster: The SEAI would have that information.

Public Accounts Committee: 2021 Financial Statements of the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland: Discussion (9 Mar 2023)

Imelda Munster: Why do the witnesses not have that figure? It is a big issue. People who have applied are being told they might be waiting up to two years.

Public Accounts Committee: 2021 Financial Statements of the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland: Discussion (9 Mar 2023)

Imelda Munster: I just want to know how long are people waiting. Has the SEAI asked for the figures? Has it sought them and does it have them? Mr. Walsh has just said the SEAI has the figures.

Public Accounts Committee: 2021 Financial Statements of the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland: Discussion (9 Mar 2023)

Imelda Munster: Will you just give them to us.

Public Accounts Committee: 2021 Financial Statements of the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland: Discussion (9 Mar 2023)

Imelda Munster: I will ask the Cathaoirleach to stop the clock if this waffling goes on. How long-----

Public Accounts Committee: 2021 Financial Statements of the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland: Discussion (9 Mar 2023)

Imelda Munster: I am sure the figures are buried somewhere. Could our guests provide the figures by the time we take a tea break? There must be people online who could source the information.

Public Accounts Committee: 2021 Financial Statements of the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland: Discussion (9 Mar 2023)

Imelda Munster: Okay. There was an 88% decrease in the number of attic and wall cavity insulations in 2022 compared with 2011. What was the reason for that? In 2011, 51,000 attic insulations and 41,00 cavity wall insulations were carried out. That is close to total of 100,000. There were not even 11,000 in 2022.

Public Accounts Committee: 2021 Financial Statements of the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland: Discussion (9 Mar 2023)

Imelda Munster: Dr. Byrne said that at the start. I am wondering what caused the decrease.

Public Accounts Committee: 2021 Financial Statements of the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland: Discussion (9 Mar 2023)

Imelda Munster: Will Dr. Byrne explain that change to the grants? At a recent meeting of the climate committee, I think Dr. Byrne said there was no significant change in Government policy that would impact attic insulation in that way when his colleague had said there was a change in the grant scheme. Will Dr. Byrne outline what those changes were? He said at that climate committee meeting that there was...

Public Accounts Committee: 2021 Financial Statements of the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland: Discussion (9 Mar 2023)

Imelda Munster: What were the changes? Was there a reduction?

Public Accounts Committee: 2021 Financial Statements of the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland: Discussion (9 Mar 2023)

Imelda Munster: Ah, there was a reduction. All right. Go ahead.

Public Accounts Committee: 2021 Financial Statements of the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland: Discussion (9 Mar 2023)

Imelda Munster: Does Dr. Byrne not think the reduction in the size of the grant would have been the cause of the drop-off because people would have had to pay more to get their attics or walls insulated?

Public Accounts Committee: 2021 Financial Statements of the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland: Discussion (9 Mar 2023)

Imelda Munster: Ah yes.

Public Accounts Committee: 2021 Financial Statements of the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland: Discussion (9 Mar 2023)

Imelda Munster: Does Dr. Byrne think that was wise?

Public Accounts Committee: 2021 Financial Statements of the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland: Discussion (9 Mar 2023)

Imelda Munster: To focus on the deep retrofits, anyone who had the money could go ahead. Was it wise to alter the grants, given that the take-up was massive across the length and breadth of the State? Was it wise to adjust the grants in such a way that it meant people had less grant support for attic and wall insulation? Was that not a retrograde step?