Retrofitting targets will require skilled workers and educational support – Farrell

In order to hit our retrofitting targets, we will need to ensure there is a strong supply of skilled workers, Dublin Fingal TD Alan Farrell has said.

Deputy Farrell, Fine Gael Spokesperson on Climate Action, said, “The Government has set out an ambitious plan to retrofit 500,000 homes by 2030. We need to ensure there are educational supports in place to cater for the approximately 17,000 workers required to reach our ambitions.

“I have raised this matter with the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, Simon Harris, who I believe is committed to providing the necessary programmes to train, upskill and help workers take advantage of the opportunities presented by the National Retrofitting Plan.

“There are currently 17 courses available nationwide relating to green skills and these will play an important part in training highly skilled workers. There has also been a significant increase in the funding for the development of training services, totalling €31 million.

“The development of retrofitting training centres is another positive step in ensuring that we have adequate resourcing for this sector. There are two currently in operation, with an additional three to be opened this year.

“Having recently met with Education & Training Boards Ireland (ETBI), I am acutely aware that an annual capital budget of circa €70m is available to ETBI to deliver on the significant training needs of our population.

“We have the ability now to provide warmer, more efficient homes, which in turn will result in lower home energy bills for households all over Ireland; and provide well paid jobs in the process, allowing workers to thrive. This is a win-win scenario.

“Last week, the Government announced a significant ramping up of financial support for people seeking to make their homes more energy efficient. This includes covering up to half of the costs incurred by deep retrofitting projects, covering 80% of the costs of an attic or cavity wall insulation and crucially the development of a One Stop Shop that will guide individuals from start to finish.”