Paul Murphy: Retrofitting failing - 92-year-old left exposed

Paul Murphy addresses the Dail, urging urgent and expanded retrofitting to tackle the cost of living and climate crises. He warns that the government's privatised model is creating serious problems, and gives constituency examples including a 92-year-old who received poor-quality work during Storm Chandra.

Immediate concern: constituency cases

Paul Murphy details local examples from his constituency to illustrate systemic failures in the retrofitting rollout. He cites a 92-year-old widow who received a 100% grant for wraparound external wall insulation that was installed during Storm Chandra. Murphy says she sought help from the SAI and "got absolutely nowhere."

Problems with the privatised model

Murphy argues the government's privatised approach to retrofitting is generating avoidable harms and administrative dead ends. He highlights cases where contractors failed to provide necessary declarations and where applicants face denial or unresolved complaints.

Remedies and routes for redress

Murphy urges faster, larger-scale retrofitting and calls for affected households to be supported through the one-stop shop and for the companies involved to be engaged. He stresses that retrofitting is part of the solution to both the cost of living crisis and the climate crisis and demands accountability for botched installations.

Political exchange and follow-up

During the exchange, Murphy invites further engagement from deputies and officials, noting specific instances where grants should be recovered and cases should be reopened. He frames the issue as both a practical and moral failure that needs immediate correction.