My Department funds a number of grant schemes to support homeowners to improve the energy efficiency of their properties. These are administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI). The SEAI operated retrofit schemes offer partial grants for individuals who can afford to contribute to the cost of upgrades as well as free energy efficiency improvements for people at risk of energy poverty. The information sought by the Deputy in relation to average grant awards and rejected applications is not readily available. However, one scheme, the Better Energy Warmer Homes Scheme, has provided free upgrades to over 142,000 homes, and in 2020 the average value of the energy efficiency measures provided per household was over €14,800. The request for information has been sent to the SEAI and available data will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as possible.
The table below sets out the SEAI's total annual budget allocations for the past 5 years:
2021
|
2020
|
2019
|
2018
|
2017
|
€311,908,000
|
€208,009,000
|
€184,664,000
|
€152,003,000
|
€113,871,000
|