Institute calls for 'green' loan scheme for homeowners

There has been a call for a 'green' loan scheme to be established as a means of paying for the retro-fitting of homes.

The idea is one of a number of proposals being put forward by the Institute of International and European Affairs as part of a major energy efficiency conference today.

It is estimated that retro-fitting sustains 3,000 full time jobs in Ireland, but Government grant aid for homeowners in this area will run out in 2014.

Director General of the IIEA Daithi O'Ceallaigh said Ireland has to find alternative ways of financing retrofits once the grant aid is gone.