Ireland 'missing out' on energy saving jobs

IRELAND IS missing out on jobs because people are not installing energy-saving measures in homes in sufficient numbers, it has been claimed.

According to Comhar, the Government-appointed Sustainable Development Council, up to 25,000 jobs could be created in retrofitting homes over the next decade.

But the organisation said jobs would only be realised with additional training and it recommended the State provide a “pay-as-you-save initiative”, where consumers pay for energy-saving services and products as they save on their energy bills. Such a move would act as a stimulus in the area of retrofitting, according to Comhar.

The organisation’s latest report, Skills and Training for a Green New deal, which was launched yesterday, claimed jobs in the retrofitting of existing homes are just one area where the State can take advantage of the emerging “green economy”.

Under EU targets for energy consumption, the report said a range of skills were now required in areas such as the operation and maintenance of wind turbines and the growing and harvesting of bioenergy.

The report also noted jobs potential in the delivery of the new national grid, with up to 300 posts being created over the coming year.

Minister of State Ciarán Cuffe welcomed the report and said the Government had introduced objectives for lower carbon “which help to stimulate the green economy and create green jobs”.