Fintan Warfield (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

It has become abundantly clear that Ireland will fall short, as other Senators have mentioned, in meeting the targets for renewable energy and reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. The Environmental Protection Agency, EPA, has recently reported a 3.5% rise in emissions last year. Earlier in the year the EPA reported that Ireland will fail to meet its greenhouse gas emission targets for 2020, which is a 20% reduction in CO2 emissions on the 2005 levels. The EPA has speculated that Ireland will reduce its emissions by 4% to 6% on the 2005 levels, as Senator Coffey has mentioned. Ireland's horrendous record is emphasised further in the recently-published Climate Change Performance Index 2018, which states that Ireland is "the worst performing European country". The report glaringly shows the inaction of the present and previous Governments on climate change. In spite of the Minister of State, Deputy English's good intentions, it is unlikely that Ireland will meet its renewable targets. By not reaching our targets, not only are we affecting our environment, we are also facing substantial financial penalties for inaction. The money that will be spent by the State on fines could be spent on renewable energy infrastructure.

As the power sources for residential properties transition to more renewable sources, the current costs are being borne by the ordinary customer. We need to address the plight of people suffering fuel poverty. There must be an acceptable standard of warmth in the home at an affordable cost. Households in Ireland are currently defined as energy poor if they spend more than 10% of their disposable income, as in severe energy poverty if they spend more than 15% of their disposable income and in extreme energy poverty if they spend more than 20% of their disposable income on energy costs in any one year. These people could be living in poorly insulated homes and this could include houses in the private rented sector. The private rental sector is an area neglected in terms of energy efficiency measures and this must be addressed. Organisations such as the Society of St. Vincent de Paul pay out millions of euro each year for those suffering fuel poverty and for those who need help in paying their energy bill.

The cost of electricity in this State is one of the highest in Europe. This is an added burden on those suffering fuel poverty, both in terms of the high prices and needing to spend more to heat their homes because of the lack of energy efficiency. The household spend on energy is now higher than it was 20 years ago and the trend seems to be on an upward spiral.

The Sinn Féin spokesperson on climate action in the Dáil, Deputy Brian Stanley, has asked repeated questions as to why our electricity prices are so high. Has competition affected electricity prices? The energy regulator judges competition by switching rates. We know for instance that the elderly are much less likely to switch provider and therefore can be on the most expensive tariff. Will the Minister give a departmental response in respect of the ever-increasing electricity costs?

There are two direct ways though which the State addresses the energy efficiency of homes, namely, the warmer homes schemes for those in receipt of fuel allowance and the better energy homes schemes. Measures under these schemes need to be extended. The SEAI published tips for heating the home in October 2017 and it states that much of the heat loss from a house goes through the windows, particularly if they are single glazed windows. Sinn Féin proposed in its alternative budget the extension of the warmer homes scheme to include the replacement of single glazed windows. Sinn Féin also sought an increase in the grants under the better energy homes scheme specifically for a grant to install solar energy so that more homes can generate their own renewable heat.

Government policy on energy costs focus on the competitive market and supports for energy efficiency. Will the Government take action to incentivise home owners towards renewable heat?