The Government has said that €30m of extra funding provided through its jobs initiative for improving the energy efficiency of buildings will create 2,000 extra jobs this year.
Outlining details of the Better Energy programme in Dublin this morning, Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources Pat Rabbitte said three existing retrofit programmes will also be streamlined to make it easier for people to make an informed choice about their needs.
As part of the programme, 25 energy companies such as the ESB and Bord Gáis will be asked to sign up to a plan to deliver agreed energy savings. The plan also encompasses a system where those availing of the scheme will not have to pay for the work upfront but will pay instead over time as they make savings.
The Government claims that the extra €30m of funding leverage at least the same amount of funding from private investment.
Minister Rabbitte's announcement was welcomed by the Construction Industry Federation (CIF), particularly the potential it presents to leverage extra private investment from the €30 million of additional funding.
An important feature of the announcement is the signalling of a move towards new and ultimately more sustainable funding options that will reduce the pressure for direct and ongoing investment by the Exchequer, said CIF director of policy Martin Whelan.
Private pensions levy 'inequitable' - IAPF
The Irish Association of Pension Funds has described the proposed levy on private pensions as grossly inequitable.
The levy - over four years - which will go towards paying for the Government's jobs initiative was announced yesterday.
The Pensions Ombudsman has said he expects to be inundated with complaints over the proposed levy on private pensions.
There was a mixed reaction from various groups to the Government's jobs plans overall.
Groups representing the unemployed gave the proposals a cautious welcome, while representatives of the tourism and restaurant sectors said the measures were a step in the right direction
