Under the new initiative, some Euro 100m is to be handed out to householders across the country in order for them to make their homes more energy efficient.

In addition to helping cut back on Ireland’s greenhouse gas emission levels, the move is aimed at giving the national economy a much-needed boost, with thousands of jobs to be created across the struggling construction and engineering sectors, Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources Eamon Ryan explained.

Welcoming the news, the Construction Industry Federation (CIF), noted that, with as many as 900,000 houses built before 1990 currently falling short of building industry regulations, this could be just the start of a multi-billion euro industry.

“From an employment point of view this will create work for the very firms and crafts most severely impacted by the downturn in the industry,” said CIF director general Tom Parlon.

Just last month, University College Dublin academic Professor Peter Lynch warned that Ireland needs to manage its CO2 emission levels in order to help prevent reaching a climate change ‘tipping point’.

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