Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, Solidarity)
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128. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the reason a minimum BER standard for the private rented sector was not included in the new housing plan; when a minimum standard will be introduced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [65490/25]

James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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My Department is committed to improving energy efficiency in the private rental market, which will contribute to meeting our overall national climate targets in relation to emissions reduction, help alleviate fuel poverty, help to protect tenants' health and improve comfort levels in rental homes.

Work in this area is being informed by research my Department commissioned from the ESRI. An ESRI research paper published earlier this year explores the investment requirements for energy efficiency upgrades in the private rental sector.

It found that there are significant investment needs in the sector as most properties have a BER rating below a B, with the aggregate cost of upgrading residential rental stock estimated to be between €7-8bn in 2023 prices. The report also identifies a number of barriers to investment by household residential landlords. Any measures introduced must be feasible and proportionate, and not have unintended consequences which will impact on supply in the rental market.

The Government’s Action Plan on Housing Supply and Targeting Homelessness - Delivering Homes, Building Communities 2025-2030 - commits to examining policy measures to incentivise increased energy efficiency in the private rental market. The ERSI’s valuable research will support the development of appropriate policy and actions.