92. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment if he will expand the warmer homes scheme to include solar; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48994/25]

Sentiment score: 0.23

A study by UCC over the last number of years has identified that over 1 million homes in Ireland are suitable for solar and that one quarter of all electricity needed could be produced for those homes. It would have huge saving costs for homes. Unfortunately, though, low-income homes are often locked out of the ability to have solar because their households simply cannot afford it. The costs can run into the thousands. Will the Minister of State expand the warmer homes scheme to include solar and make a statement on the matter?

Sentiment score: 0.19

The Minister of State will be aware that in 2022, approximately 30% of households in Ireland were considered to be at risk of energy poverty. We are continuing to see the extraordinary stresses that are being put on homes because of the high cost of living, of which a huge component is energy costs. Over recent days and weeks, companies are again increasing their electricity charges, despite the fact that Ireland has the third highest electricity charges in Europe, which is approximately €350 extra on each home. Companies like Bord Gáis and Energia are increasing those prices further, to the extent that it could impose over €200 onto households. We need to look at having long-term and sustainable ways of making households resilient and particularly those who are at risk of energy poverty. Solar panels are an area that could offer this but they have largely been ignored by the Government for low-income homes because the priority has been on retrofitting.

Sentiment score: -0.30

I know that is the argument that has been put forward over the last number of years but the majority of electricity units in someone's home are used to heat water, so there will not be any leakage from that. That is where a lot of the expenses are. If we can actually heat someone's water, we are going to save them a lot of money on their electricity bills. In relation to all those companies that are hiking their electricity charges, the Taoiseach said yesterday that there needs to be a focus on them and I absolutely agree. They are hiking their charges and saying it is because of the increase in the grid charges, yet that is not 100% correct. They are hiking the charges way beyond the cost the Commission for Regulation of Utilities, CRU, and the ESB are putting onto the extra grid charges. Will the Minister of State relay to the Minister that he needs to bring in those companies? There needs to be a very serious conversation with them to say that they cannot continue to hike prices and put pressure on families. They have done it enough and now it is time to give families a break on this.

Sentiment score: -0.07