Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 17 January 2024
115. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if the current SEAI housing insulation scheme (details supplied) will be reviewed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1461/24]
View answerIn February 2022, the Government launched a package of supports to make it easier and more affordable for homeowners to undertake home energy upgrades, for warmer, healthier and more comfortable homes, with lower energy bills.
It is important to note that the grants available through SEAI aim to maximise emissions reductions and deliver energy savings for the widest range of homeowners possible. The grants which are available, and their respective eligibility criteria, were selected as the most likely to deliver significant energy savings to homeowners as well as the best value for money for the Exchequer. The grant schemes provided by SEAI are reviewed on a regular basis.
Under the SEAI home energy upgrade schemes, the general principle applies whereby grant funding can only be issued once per measure per property.
However, under the National Home Energy Upgrade Scheme, a homeowner may be permitted to avail of a second grant for a measure where it is recommended in the One Stop Shop (OSS) Home Energy Assessment to achieve the B2 and heat pump target. In cases where the OSS determines through the Home Energy Assessment and Heat Loss Indicator assessment that a second wall insulation is required to meet the heat pump requirement, then grant support for a second measure is permitted as follows:
- Internal Wall Insulation is eligible where cavity has previously been funded.
- External wall insulation is eligible where either cavity or internal wall insulation has been funded.
Further information on the grants available from SEAI under the One-Stop-Shop scheme can be found on their website: seai.ie/grants/home-energy-grants/one-stop-shop/
In addition, SEAI has established a specific email address for queries from Oireachtas members, and it is open to the Deputy to forward any specifics regarding the matters raised to that address so that they can be examined and addressed promptly, in line with SEAI’s objective to deliver services to the highest standards. The email address is oireachtas@seai.ie.
