The recent announcement by the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Alex White, that grants for retrofits are to increase is "too little too late", according to the Green Party.

Minister White said that a pay-as-you-save scheme urgently needs to be introduced, and that insulation standards in rental properties need to be upgraded.

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Cllr Smyth said: "The Government promised to double spending on the better energy homes scheme in 2011. They then cut it to a third of what it previously was. Today's announcement is a belated response to the predictable effects of that decision.

"The Government are increasing grants because their scheme is failing. Fewer houses are being insulated every year, and a huge number of people have to endure cold houses in winter as a result.

"For tenants, increasing the grants does nothing. There is no reason for their landlords to insulate their homes and the government has chosen not to introduce any minimum insulation standards."

(CD/MH)