In February 2022, Government launched a package of enhanced SEAI supports as part of the delivery of Ireland’s National Retrofit Plan which included a special enhanced grant rate for attic and cavity wall insulation for all households to urgently reduce energy use as part of the Government’s response to very high energy prices.
Since the introduction of the new supports, demand across the SEAI residential and community energy upgrade schemes has been exceptionally high and the strong performance seen in 2022 has continued in 2023. Figures from the SEAI show that, to the end of September, €213 million has been provided to support 34,000 home energy upgrades, representing a 96% increase on spend and a 111% increase on output on the same period last year.
With regard to the information sought by the Deputy, the figures below from SEAI show the number of roof and external wall insultation measures supported under the Better Energy Homes Scheme in 2022 and to date in 2023:
External Insulation upgrades completed
• 2023 to end September: 1,222
• 2022: 1,404
Roof Insulation upgrades completed
• 2023 to end September: 7,757
• 2022: 6,063
Additional information on the performance of SEAI schemes can be found in the Quarterly Reports published at www.seai.ie
I have asked SEAI to forward to the Deputy the additional information sought on the average time for grants to issue.