Up to 4,000 jobs could be created by a new €100m Government scheme which aims to dramatically improve the insulation in Irish homes.
Minister for Energy Eamon Ryan said the investment would significantly reduce household heating bills and carbon emissions, while also providing much needed employment for the construction sector.
Hundreds of thousands of Irish homes were built to low energy insulation standards; now home-owners can get attics, walls and floors retro-fitted and the Government will pay a percentage of the bill.
Households can expect to reduce their heating bills by around €700 a year by burning less oil and gas, which also reduces carbon emissions.
Minister Ryan added that banks had also agreed to assist the public getting access to loans to pay for work.
Labour Party TD Liz McManus has warmly welcomed the plan, but suggested it should have been introduced earlier and the Government needed to be more ambitious in promoting this emerging green tech sector.
