The national retrofit plan is far behind schedule and retrofitted homes are not delivering the energy or greenhouse gas emission savings predicted, ESRI research found. Photograph; iStockThe authors of a report interpreted as casting doubt on the point of retrofitting have told TDs and senators they believe retrofits are essential. They told the committee these concerns remained, but the point of their report was to examine the limitations of the retrofit plan and suggest complementary approaches to reducing household emissions. “Anyone serious about climate action says we need the whole residential sector electrified [through retrofitting gas- and oil-heated homes with electric heat pumps],” Lynch said. “All we were trying to say was we are not going to get there as fast as we need to.

Source: The Irish Times March 26, 2026 07:24 UTC