Ossian Smyth (Dún Laoghaire, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

It is valuable to hear directly the reality on the ground from people who are living in the midlands area where the work is going on. I am delighted to accept the Senator's invitation to visit Kildare and see for myself because there is no point in making rules in isolation of the reality.

Second, the Senator mentioned the retrofit of private homes. There are two major schemes. Approximately €65 million is being spent this year on retrofitting council houses and €220 million is available to retrofit private homes. That private retrofitting will require an element of grant and another portion of credit to make it happen. These are huge schemes and they become much larger each year. However, one needs to make sure that people have the money to do it and have confidence in their economic situation.

I find the third level college idea very interesting, on a horticultural basis, and retraining will be key. I am happy to talk about it with the Senator when we meet in the future.

The importation of peat products from abroad has been mentioned. Clearly, carbon leakage always is a concern. In any policy that we implement to limit the production of high-carbon materials, carbon leakage must be considered. Bord na Móna will continue to manufacture peat products until 2024. I wish to put it on record that it is not the case that Bord na Móna has ceased production altogether.