Erin McGreehan (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I stand to congratulate the Government on the national retrofit plan. The funding for the plan is unprecedented. It is fantastic that we are being proactive in improving people's homes, making them warmer, better, far more efficient and cheaper to run. I worked in the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland in Dundalk years ago. I have since been interested in, and have worked on, a State-backed loan system. Green-energy, low-interest loans have been talked about for a long time. I am looking forward to hearing the details of the scheme when they are announced in the autumn.The Government is moving in the right direction in working to help lower income families. The number of energy upgrades will increase from 177 last year to 400 this year and €109 million has been allocated for free upgrades. That is an incredible allocation that will go a long way towards ensuring families are living in better and warmer homes. As someone who was reared among tradespeople, I am well aware of the great opportunities for work in this area for leaving certificate and other students. The life of a trades person is really worthwhile. During my lifetime, I have dabbled in tiling, plumbing and in other areas and I will continue to do so. There is a really good job and a worthwhile career at the end of an apprenticeship. I would encourage students who are interested in working towards a better, warmer, cleaner and cheaper Ireland to take up an apprenticeship in this area. As I said, it is really worthwhile work.