I want to bring up once again the issue of Carlinn Hall in Dundalk and its communal heating system. There are approximately 200 homes there. I have met the SEAI and third-party operators that are looking at a possible renewable solution involving heat pumps. I have spoken to the local authority. A huge piece of work needs to be done with the management committee and the residents. They are only putting the proposal together. The fact is that we would need to make sure there is flexibility from the SEAI and the Government from the point of view of funding, whether that is the support scheme for renewable heat or the heat pump grant that is available. I would think that is absolutely necessary. We have dealt with flood protection multiple times in the last two weeks. I welcome the promises from Louth County Council. It is dealing with the Office of Public Works, OPW, and the Minister of State, Deputy Moran, was in the constituency lately. We need to make sure Uisce Éireann plays its part. There is an infrastructural deficit impacting even where I live myself, in the Bay Estate and Cluan Enda area in Dundalk.
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Could it not be taken from anywhere else?
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It was biomass and gas-fired. We just need to replace them and to have flexibility and funding.
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Deputy McGuinness is waiting for an answer.
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In fairness this was brought up earlier as regards energy poverty. There is an acceptance by Government that there is a need for a payment relating to the cost of disability. It was provided for last year. A review process is ongoing. It is unfortunate that it is necessary for the Affordable Ireland Campaign coalition to come together and for that protest to happen on 28 February but we need action now. It is not much good for people who cannot afford to pay for heating at this point in time. They cannot afford to get a wheelchair charged and have to make decisions like that. We really need a short-term measure before we get the other one, and that is before we deal with the CRU and dealing with energy issues.
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I accept that, but there is need for an emergency measure because people are under severe pressure.
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