Results 4,161-4,180 of 8,745 for speaker:Verona Murphy

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

Verona Murphy: The email stated, "It was necessary to pay upfront for that home energy assessment." That varies, so it is not necessary.

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

Verona Murphy: The applicant added: Information concerning the cost of carrying out the work came back and the amount of grant aid I would get. I decided to go ahead with the project. The home energy assessment was completed in August 2022. The one-stop shop contractor approved by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland, SEAI, then got each of its agents to come in and do the pricing for this...

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

Verona Murphy: That email came from former Minister Denis Naughten, who pretty much set up much of what we see today in his role as Minister in his Department, but Dr. Byrne disagrees with him.

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

Verona Murphy: Well, Deputy Naughten has explained it very well. As a former Minister, I am sure he was not confused about the fact that he was told it was necessary to pay upfront for the assessment. Is that something Dr. Byrne will look into?

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

Verona Murphy: It is either necessary or not. I do not see why we have-----

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

Verona Murphy: Who pays for that if the applicant does not?

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

Verona Murphy: If the applicant did not go ahead with the retrofit, would it be difficult to recover the money for the assessment? How does one do that?

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

Verona Murphy: No, no. Dr. Byrne just said that if an applicant does not go ahead with the works, he or she pays for the assessment. When?

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

Verona Murphy: I am not trying to be difficult. It is fairly straightforward. Dr. Byrne said paying upfront was not necessary. Is he telling me that he has people who do not go ahead because they cannot afford it once the assessment is carried out, and that they are then asked to pay for the assessment? They do not pay upfront but afterwards when they have decided not to go ahead.

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

Verona Murphy: That is fine. Is Dr. Byrne concerned about the facts in the email regarding what appears to have been acceptable? Deputy Naughten was going to go ahead with the retrofit. There is construction cost inflation and there is also the cost of living but I am referring to an increase in the cost to the homeowner of 53% in three months, based on SEAI-recommended contractors. Does that concern...

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

Verona Murphy: Well, it is really simple; the increase is 53% in three months. Does that sound like gouging?

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

Verona Murphy: What would the rate of construction inflation be?

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

Verona Murphy: This is nearly four times that.

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

Verona Murphy: Does Dr. Byrne agree that it sounds ridiculous?

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

Verona Murphy: I did not give Dr. Byrne the specifics; I gave him the percentage. Fifty-three percent is specifically very high if Dr. Byrne is saying the rate of construction inflation is 15%.

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

Verona Murphy: What kind of review is carried out by the SEAI on its contractors so it does not appear that they are gouging?

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

Verona Murphy: This is not anecdotal. This is fact. This was on the record of the Dáil yesterday. This was presented to the Minister on the floor of the Dáil.

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

Verona Murphy: We better not discuss individual cases. I assume that the question is on the Dáil record and will go back to the Department for an answer. A percentage of 53% needs an answer. I am very concerned that the SEAI budget has been increased by €371 million but that does not appear to serve anybody if this is what is going on.

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

Verona Murphy: Whether it is €10 or €100,000, it is 53% of an increase in three months. That is fairly understandable and unacceptable. Does Dr. Byrne agree?

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

Verona Murphy: That is all. I did not give Dr. Byrne figures. I asked for his assessment of that type of an increase in three months, on an assessment that was carried out at SEAI's behest and under its instruction and paid for upfront yet it turned out that the grant was not a viable proposition after. The SEAI sent in its own contractors who gave him a 53% increase in cost, on the original assessment....