Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (Resumed)
- Order of Business 1 speech
The Leas-Cheann Comhairle says time is up but allows two final speakers, with each Deputy limited to 30 seconds.
Catherine Connolly
- Social housing eligibility limits 1 speech
Deputy O'Donnell asks the Taoiseach to raise social housing income eligibility limits by €5,000 for all local authorities, citing the rent burden and existing increases in five counties.
Kieran O'Donnell
- Retrofitting scheme exclusions 7 speeches
Deputy Browne criticises the retrofit scheme for excluding many older homes, especially pre-1965 stone-built houses owned by older families. The Taoiseach says upgrades are on track nationally and asks for details of the house types so the scheme can be made more flexible and potentially expanded.
Martin Browne, Micheál Martin
- Social housing limit question 9 speeches
Deputy O'Donnell repeatedly presses for the Taoiseach’s own view on raising social housing eligibility bands, while the Taoiseach says the housing Minister is handling the matter and has brought proposals forward to committee and Cabinet.
Kieran O'Donnell, Micheál Martin
- Time overrun 1 speech
The Leas-Cheann Comhairle reiterates that the House is well over time after the discretionary extra questions.
Catherine Connolly
We are out of time. With the Taoiseach's co-operation, I will allow in the final two speakers, even though we are way over time. The Deputies have 30 seconds each.
Comment on this
Does the Taoiseach agree that the Government needs to raise the social income housing eligibility limits? Does he further agree that we need, as an interim measure, to raise the bands by €5,000 for in keeping with the social housing income limit review? The bands for five counties, Clare, Carlow, Galway, Laois and Westmeath, have increased by €5,000 on the basis that the report found that in 26 out of 31 local authorities 35% of disposable income is going on rent. Does the Taoiseach agree that all local authorities should increase social housing eligibility limits by €5,000? In Limerick, it is only €30,000. I have many constituents on relatively low incomes who do not qualify.
Comment on this
I raise the crazy system of the retrofitting scheme the Government has introduced. When will the Government realise it is not working and will not work because it excludes a large number of households? One example is stone-built houses that were constructed in 1965 or earlier. These homes could really do with deep retrofits but we are told that they do not qualify. Such homes are usually lived in by elderly people, parents or grandparents, who have stayed in the family home all their lives. They heat their homes with turf and timber and are now being told that they cannot do so. The Government devised a scheme suited to those with the greatest means, not those in greatest need. Homeowners such as those I mention, as well as people living in energy poverty and in greatest need of help, are being left behind by the scheme.
Comment on this
The latest projections from the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland indicate that we are on track to achieve our target of 27,000 home energy upgrades this year. This compares with 15,500 upgrades last year. Many people are applying for the scheme, and it is up 150%.
Comment on this
These are the houses that need the deep retrofit.
Comment on this
Will the Deputy send a note to me on the specific house types he has identified? We want as flexible a scheme as possible.
Comment on this
Anything pre 1965 does not even qualify.
Comment on this
I am trying to be helpful. If the Deputy sends on the details of the house types he has become aware of that are outside the scheme, we will see what we can do to include them in the scheme. Is that fair?
Comment on this
The Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage has this matter under active consideration. He made proposals-----
Comment on this
I want to know the Taoiseach's view.
Comment on this
I want it responded to accordingly.
Comment on this
The Minister brought proposals to the housing committee. He will bring it to the Cabinet-----
Comment on this
The question was to the Taoiseach, not the Minister.