90. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of training and education places available across further and higher education, apprenticeships and upskilling programmes aimed at developing the workforce required to deliver energy-efficient homes, including retrofitting, construction and related trades; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50102/26]

Sentiment score: 0.23

117. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the measures being taken or planned by his Department to increase the number of training places and pathways for individuals to gain the skills necessary to deliver energy-efficient homes, including in areas such as retrofitting, heat pump installation and sustainable construction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50101/26]

Sentiment score: 0.30

We know we have environmental targets. We know we want families to live in warm, fully insulated homes. That has never been more important, when we look at the geopolitical climate we are living in. However, there are real concerns as to whether we have the workforce to deliver warm, insulated homes - both new builds and retrofittings. How many do we currently have in training in the industry? What steps is the Minister taking to increase that to make sure that we not only meet our climate targets but help families to live in warm, insulated homes?

Sentiment score: 0.19

It is good to hear that work is under way. What I did not hear is whether we know the numbers we need to get to. As the Minister said, a broad range of skill sets are required to deliver these homes. Is there co-ordination between the Minister's Department and the Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment? We know the targets we want to get to for 2030. Do we know the numbers of skilled workers we will need across the broad range to get there? Is the Department supporting that to ensure that there are sufficient programmes to deliver the numbers of skilled workers? I just did not hear that in the answer. It is really important that we have co-ordination. The Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment has substantial money, which should be used to support having a skilled workforce in place.

Sentiment score: 0.24

I thank the Minister. This is a point I made to the Secretary General of the Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment at the public accounts committee. There is money there and we absolutely need to invest in ensuring that we have retrofitting, and do everything we can to meet our climate targets, not just because of the financial consequences that might arise but because it is the right thing to do. We want people and families to be living in warm and fully insulated buildings. I would like to see the Minister's Department co-ordinate with the Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment, and with his colleague the Minister, Deputy Darragh O'Brien, to make sure we are doing everything we can to make sure we have the skilled workforce to meet our climate targets and deliver for families. The Minister, Deputy Lawless, has alluded to the awareness at second level of the importance of these various apprenticeship programmes and trades. We really need to be doing everything we can to encourage people into the sector. I would like to see the Minister continue to do his work in that space.

Sentiment score: 0.39

Before we move to the next question, I welcome the service users from St. Aidan's Services in Gorey and in particular Nicole, Ian, Donnchadh and Caroline, who are here with Deputy Brian Brennan. They are all very welcome.

Sentiment score: 0.48