Sinn Féin punish those most in need of warmer homes – Farrell

Sinn Féin are depriving those most in need of warmer homes by slashing retrofitting in their alternative Budget, a Fine Gael TD has said.

Deputy Alan Farrell said, “After years of climate inaction, it seems Sinn Féin has suddenly woken up to the biggest challenge of this generation.

“But this piecemeal, tokenistic approach is too little, too late and will actually harm the poorest in our society.

“Sinn Féin is proposing to spend €178m on a new retrofitting scheme. This year, we will invest €356m to retrofit homes and fund solar panels in communities across the country. So, this begs the question, if Sinn Féin suddenly care about climate action, why are they slashing the budget for retrofitting?

“They want to scrap the Better Energy Warmer Homes Scheme. This is a government scheme which gives the poorest in our society a 100% grant to make their home warmer and reduce their energy bills. What is Sinn Féin saying to these people? It is a scheme that is in extremely high demand. They have allocated €100m for it in their budget. We will spend €148.5m on it this year alone.

“This Government is implementing the most ambitious, far reaching retrofitting plan in the state’s history. We’ve committed €8billion to it up to 2030, offering people grants of up to 50% to retrofit their homes – 80% to insulate your attic.

“Sinn Féin’s proposals pale in comparison and show up their inexperience in climate action”, said Deputy Farrell.

Deputy Farrell sits on the Oireachtas Climate Action committee.

“I welcome that Sinn Féin have finally accepted the carbon tax, something which every credible climate scientist says is fundamental to changing behaviour and moving away from polluting fuels. It has taken them long enough.

“Government has ringfenced all of this monies and put it towards climate action, including retrofitting.

“By refusing to commit to any further increases, Sinn Féin will essentially be cutting funding for future climate action. Investing for the future? More like robbing future generations,” Deputy Farrell said.

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