Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 14 July 2020
122. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the new measures he is planning for those who do not have sufficient financial resources, particularly those with a disability, to support them in the retrofit in view of the target to retrofit 500,000 houses; and if there are existing supports for persons on a disability outside the mainstream grants. [15469/20]
View answerThe Programme for Government and the Climate Action Plan set highly ambitious targets for the number and depth of residential retrofits to be completed by 2030. The targets are to retrofit 500,000 homes to a Building Energy Rating of B2/cost optimal equivalent and to install 400,000 heat pumps in existing buildings over the next 10 years. Retrofitting has the ability to contribute to a number of important goals including - decarbonisation; warmer, more comfortable homes; and job creation and retention.
A cross-Departmental Retrofit Taskforce has been established to develop a new retrofit delivery model capable of achieving these targets. This process has been informed by consultation with stakeholders and an analysis of relevant national and international experience. The model is designed to address barriers to energy efficiency investments in four key areas: customer proposition and demand generation, financing and affordability, supplier capacity, and delivery structure. Development of the plan will be underpinned by principles including quality and fairness. The Taskforce is also working to determine the estimated cost of achieving the retrofit targets. The Retrofit Taskforce report is to be published in Q3 2020.
The Climate Action Plan also commits to reviewing ways to better target current energy poverty schemes, such as the Warmer Homes Scheme, to those most in need. Recommendations in relation to the implementation of changes to the scheme will be finalised shortly.
At €146 million, the 2020 budget allocation for energy efficiency in homes and businesses is the highest ever. This represents a €29 million increase over the 2019 budget. The allocation for schemes exclusively available to lower income households is approximately €60 million. These schemes are available to people in receipt of certain payments including the Domiciliary Care Allowance and the Carer’s Allowance.
The Deputy may also wish to note that the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government funds the Housing Adaptation grant for Older People and People with a Disability. This grant is administered by Local Authorities.
