Results 4,761-4,780 of 9,350 for speaker:Verona Murphy

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (9 Mar 2023)

Verona Murphy: A serious issue has arisen in Wexford. Unfortunately, the Minister for Health stated on local radio yesterday that following the fire at Wexford General Hospital, the emergency department is going to reopen tomorrow. This information was subsequently posted on Facebook by a number of people, including me. Many people contacted me to sate that it is not true. I received letter from the...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (9 Mar 2023)

Verona Murphy: The sooner, the better.

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

Verona Murphy: I thank everyone for coming in. Could they tell me about the better energy warmer homes scheme? Am I correct that a new requirement means an initial assessment must be carried out by the applicant?

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

Verona Murphy: I was told by someone that as soon as the application process opened, he applied in respect of his house, which is an old one. He went through the process in this regard. Initially, he was told he had to have a pre-assessment, which cost €750.

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

Verona Murphy: It is probably best to read my information into the record because it explains the question I am putting to the team. I applied for it for my house, which is an old one. I went through the process in this regard. The agent, through the one-stop shop I was working with, told me there was now a condition that it was necessary to have a home energy assessment carried out before making any...

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%.