Robert Troy defends energy supports and backs innovation

Thank you, Ciann Comhairle. Can I thank all the deputies for raising these important matters and for giving all of us an opportunity on all sides of the House to discuss the pressures that households are facing regarding the cost of living and indeed the actions that the Government are taking. It's fair to say that some people on the far side of the House have been, I suppose, positive in their commentary in terms of highlighting some of the issues that are faced and providing some potential solutions and even most recently Deputy Henehan in relation to his solution on plug-in solar panels. I think one thing Government needs to learn is that when decisions are to be taken, if we take them a lot more swiftly and then the solution will obviously be implemented quicker, a lot of people didn't actually acknowledge the real reason why we have such a huge energy cost currently and that is because of the conflict in the Middle East. To be fair to Deputy Boyd Barrett, he did acknowledge that and the impact that is having on the cost of living, not just in Ireland but right throughout the globe and how various Governments are responding to that issue. The one thing I suppose I would take issue with Deputy Boyd Barrett on is when he demonises people like the Collison brothers who started off by winning the BT Young Scientist Award and went on to be global players in the fintech space who are creating thousands of jobs not just in Ireland but across the globe and whose innovation and technology is supporting so many Irish small and medium-sized enterprises in their ability to trade not just domestically but internationally. If we demonise people like that who are creating opportunities, who are creating employment and who are paying corporation tax which enables us to make decisions in relation to investing in services, in social welfare, I wonder, I really do wonder sometimes. We should be celebrating the success of people like that rather than demonising it here on the floor of the Dáil. What I would say is given all that is happening in the Middle East, the Government is continuing to monitor the situation and continues to provide the necessary supports to alleviate the pressure. In recent days again we witnessed the evidence of that where Government extended the supports ensuring that the action is there to help households and businesses with the cost of energy and fuel. Despite what people in the Opposition tried to portray, this was always going to be the case. It is right and proper that Government keep a watchful eye over what's happening on the international market in terms of the cost of fuel and respond accordingly. And despite people on the Opposition benches trying to build up fear, lean into people's anxiety in relation to the excise reductions that were going to end at the end of July. Despite the Taoiseach, the Tánaiste, and I and Deputy Nash mentioned how we've been in here and many times taken similar debates. Every debate we reassure people that the supports would be monitored, evaluated and if needed extended. And that is just what is happening. So we're acutely aware in terms of the issues that are facing people and we have to remember that the price of the oil barrel is at $73 today when the supports were initially introduced it was $120. So it would be wrong if we didn't keep this situation monitored. The most recent supports are also coupled with supports we brought in in Budget 2026 in terms of helping households with energy costs, extension of the 9% fat rate which is currently applied to gas and electricity, saving up to 100 euros per year. Enhanced social protection payments including an increase in the fuel allowance rate to 38 euros per week. Expansion of the eligibility criteria, 40,000 additional households qualifying for the fuel allowance in the most recent budget. A record allocation of 640 million for SDI retrofit schemes allowing us to target up to 73,000 home energy upgrades this year. That includes 340 million for the warmer home schemes which provide fully funded upgrades to those in energy poverty. But I would agree with many of the speakers who identified that Budget 2027 does need to include taxation measures and supports for people who are working. We do need to send a very strong message out from government that work is rewarded and recognise that people are making a contribution and I think that's something that you will see in relation to Budget 2027 when it's announced later this year. In relation to the energy supplies and increase in energy, people who are having difficulty with the cost of energy, I would strongly encourage people to engage with their supplier. There is a commitment there by all suppliers not to disconnect any customers and to engage with them. In addition, for people who are finding it hard, there is a means-tested payment for people who can't afford to pay their energy bills, there is the exceptional needs payment through the Department of Social Protection and I think it is important that all of us identify that that is a service that's there for people who need it. Many deputies today referred to the high price of energy for households and it's important to note that structural factors also impact on our energy prices. As a country we're import dependent for energy, it makes us particularly vulnerable for price volatility in the wholesale market. Our isolated island location, low levels of interconnection, widely dispersed low density population and reliance on fossil fuels also are important in relation to price determinants. Retail prices are also influenced by factors other than wholesale prices including supplier hedging. This is a practice of purchasing energy in bulk ahead of time, protecting consumers from day-to-day volatility of the energy markets but also having long-run effects on retail prices. This as well as the current conflicts highlights by Ireland must reduce its reliance on imported fossil fuels, accelerate the deployment of renewables and expand interconnection with trusted European partners. We are also looking and working to ensure that households benefit directly from the renewable energy transition. I think retrofitting is one of the best measures a household can take to reduce its energy bills. For instance a deep retrofit can reduce energy bills by up to 1,100 euro per year. That is a permanent saving going forward into the future. Applications for SAI grants so far this year have doubled on last year, so when people say people aren't availing of it, they have doubled in the last year on year. That's 55,000 applications processed to date in 2026. Since 2019 over 268,000 home energy upgrades have been completed thanks to government funding of 1.8 billion including 36,300 fully funded under the warmer home scheme. We know Minister O'Brien has significantly expanded the retrofit measure, something that a lot of deputies here called for earlier today, to ensure that they are more accessible and affordable for households. Key measures include standalone windows and doors grants, increased heat pump grants and increased cavity wall and attic insulation for first-time buyers and households eligible for the warmer home scheme. In addition a rooftop revolution is underway across Ireland. Over 112,000 homes have received solar PV grants since the scheme began. SAI have received over 15,000 applicants for solar PV in 2026 up to the end of April and that's a 72% increase on total applications since 2025. So again you will see that people are responding to the supports that are being put out there by the government. The numbers simply don't lie. I want to conclude by reiterating that the government is aware that people are grappling with rising costs as the geopolitical situation continues to evolve. We will remain focused on ensuring Ireland's energy security remains robust while endeavouring to assist those experiencing real and immediate financial pressures. No government throughout the world can fully insulate the citizens from the impact of the Middle East but we are doing better than most and we will continue to monitor the situation and continue to make the necessary interventions.