Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, Solidarity)
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92. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the action he is taking to bring in minimum BER standards for the private rented sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24608/25]

James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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The Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) published a research paper in February 2025, which explores the investment requirements for energy efficiency upgrades in the private rental sector. The research was funded by my Department, under a joint programme the Department operates with the ESRI. The ERSI’s research is a valuable contribution to our understanding of future investment requirements to ensure the appropriate energy efficiency upgrades in the private rental sector. This information will support the development of future policy and actions to improve the energy efficiency of housing stock in the private rental market.

The findings from this published ESRI report will feed into further research and wider consideration at Government level of the current and future supports required to upgrade energy efficiency in the residential private rental sector, aimed at both improving the quality of housing stock available to rent and contributing to meeting our overall national climate targets in relation to emissions reduction.

The appropriate balance will need to be struck between improving the energy efficiency of the rental stock and the potential impact any intervention may have on the private rental market, particularly around availability of accommodation.