Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 6 July 2021
108. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if his attention has been drawn to the fact that for homes that do not qualify for retrofitting under SEAI grants, the assessment costs are incurred by sustainable energy communities; his plans to remedy this situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35796/21]
View answer110. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if his attention has been drawn to the fact that those homeowners who were declined SEAI funding for retrofitting and are referred to the warmer homes scheme end up costing sustainable energy communities’ funding, staff time and other resources which are not compensated; if compensation will be provided for sustainable energy communities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35798/21]
View answer112. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if his attention has been drawn to the costs required to deliver on SEAI criteria on the homeowner before they apply for a SEAI retrofitting grant; if a cost optimal option will be provided that would standardise the SEAI category system into a single measure assessment rather than the four measures currently in place as part of the technical assessment (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35800/21]
View answer117. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his views on issues raised by a local sustainable energy community (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35992/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 108, 110, 112 and 117 together.
The Communities Energy Grant Scheme (CEG) makes grant funding available for community-based partnerships to improve the energy efficiency of the building stock in their area. This popular scheme supports partnership approaches that deliver energy savings to a range of building types including public, commercial and community buildings with a particular focus on using the projects to deliver home retrofits and support Climate Action Plan objectives.
A range of improvements to the scheme have been introduced over the last year following feedback from Sustainable Energy Communities (SECs) and the wider supply chain. The 2021 scheme budget has been significantly increased; the €30 million allocation for this year represents a 50% increase on the 2020 budget and demand for the scheme has been very strong.
The difficulties associated with delivering CEG projects within the applicable timelines is an issue that has been raised by stakeholders previously. In acknowledgement of this challenge, the SEAI issued its most recent call for projects a number of months earlier than previous years and the evaluation period for applications was significantly shortened. These changes meant that project approvals issued from December thereby significantly extending the timescale for works under the scheme. Unfortunately, enhanced COVID restrictions between January and April and the associated pause in the construction sector meant that much of the planned work was delayed. These delays were clearly outside of the control of the Department and SEAI. However, every effort has been made to maximise activity since the construction sector recommenced and further initiatives to help the supply chain with this issue and facilitate year-round retrofit works are in development.
Other changes to enhance the scheme have been made based on feedback from stakeholders. For example, the administrative burden for SECs associated with applying for Energy Master Plans has been significantly reduced by streamlining seven different application elements into one single application. SEAI has also developed Memoranda of Understanding with most Local Authorities to allow the cashflowing of energy masterplan costs for communities. Under this arrangement, with the involvement of Local Authorities, SECs no longer have to pay the costs of the energy masterplan in advance of drawing down the grant funding.
My Department and the SEAI also recognise the issues associated with assessment costs that arise when a homeowner decides not to proceed with a home energy upgrade. Options to deal with these costs are being considered as part of the development of new support schemes to be launched later this year. In the meantime, it should be noted that the SEAI also funds the aforementioned Energy Masterplans to help communities to identify blocks of suitable homes which are then a clear target for upgrades. The SEAI also published a national BER database which is available to SECs to help them to create a general assessment of the BER ratings of homes in their community and cut down on some pre assessment costs.
In relation to the requirement for multiple measures under the scheme, as indicated in the scheme guidelines, the CEG scheme is designed for bundled measures and a minimum BER uplift of 100 kWh/m²/yr applies. Homes that require single measures only are directed to the Better Energy Homes grant scheme because it is more suited to their needs and allows the homeowner more time and involves less administration to make an application.
Regarding window replacement, there is a provision in the scheme guidelines to facilitate a process whereby the Project Co-ordinators can agree the measures to be covered in advance with the SEAI team. In cases where windows that are fit for purpose and all windows in a home do not need to be replaced this can be accommodated and a commensurate reduction of the grant amount would apply.
Consultation with Communities and learning from valuable programme feedback is always encouraged by my Department and welcomed by SEAI at all levels. I am informed that at the most recent meeting (23 June, 2021) between SEAI and the SEC referred to by the Deputy, all relevant matters were discussed in detail. SEAI will consider the feedback fully. SEAI will also continue to work with the SEC and the wider sector to further develop and enhance the support schemes.
Separately from the CEG scheme, my Department is currently working with the SEAI to develop a new support scheme aimed at community projects focusing specifically on SECs and growing their capacity to co-ordinate projects. The new scheme will be open for applications later this year and is being informed by feedback and consultations with SECs.
