Fuel Poverty
Dail Éireann — 2026-09-17
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Paul McAuliffe (FF), Dublin North-West

I thank the Minister for acknowledging the issue. I have even raised this issue with Michael McGrath, the European Commissioner, because it is a good example of how something intended to have a positive contribution to our environment goals is having a negative impact. These kinds of things undermine confidence in the EU because they are a silly application of something. The problem is the technology does not exist. There is no gap between a €2,500 gas boiler and a €30,000 or €40,000 electric heat pump. The new pilots are welcome.
There is a balance with regard to Exchequer funding as well. I accept that. The SEAI has met me. It has been proactive. It has had the pilot scheme, which was implemented in a number of cases I brought to the SEAI, where compassion was needed. However, we need to put in place a permanent scheme. I welcome what the Minister said about the budget.
The scheme needs to be easy to use. A lot of these people are older people who do not understand all the mechanisms of different grant schemes. I appreciate the Minister's support because there are people who really need it.

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Record URI: https://data.oireachtas.ie/akn/ie/debateRecord/dail/2026-09-17/debate/main
Retrieved: 2026-09-28T05:50:48+00:00
Sitting date: 2026-09-17