The Government must immediately clarify if the postponement of carbon tax increases will reduce the budget for retrofitting and other climate action measures, according to Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore.
Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s energy and climate spokesperson, said:
“We are in the middle of an unprecedented price shock when it comes the price of energy, and the decision to defer the carbon tax increase is justified on that basis.
“However, given that carbon tax is supposed to be ring-fenced for vital climate action measures – including the national retrofitting programme and measures to assist the agriculture sector in transitioning to more sustainable farming methods – the Government must guarantee that the budget for those measures will not be reduced.
“It is deeply concerning that, when interviewed on RTÉ’s Morning Ireland today, Minister Helen McEntee was unable to clearly state if measures such as retrofitting would have to be scaled back due to the deferred carbon tax increase or, if not, where the shortfall in funding would come from.
“Last week’s events have highlighted the urgent need to reduce the country’s dependency on fossil fuels and have underlined how exposed we are to energy shocks. This must result in increased investment in renewable energy sources, such as solar power, and measures to make retrofitting schemes more accessible and affordable for homes and businesses.
“On Wednesday, the Dáil will debate a Social Democrats’ motion which calls on the Government to massively expand supports for solar – including a doubling of grants to €3,600 and the inclusion of solar panels in the Warmer Homes Scheme, which targets supports at those households most at risk of fuel poverty.
“These are the kind of ambitious measures we need to see introduced now, so that every home in the country which is suitable for solar panels can have them installed as quickly as possible.
“Further investment in ramping up the installation of solar panels is a no-brainer. Solar panels can reduce energy bills for households by approximately €450 per annum. This reduction in costs is sustainable and long-term – and provides real relief to people who are finding it difficult to pay rapidly rising energy bills.
“With Ireland already struggling to reduce its legally binding greenhouse gas emissions by 2030, the last thing we want is further backsliding on our climate action ambitions. We need urgent clarity from the Government this week that this will not be the case.”
April 13, 2026