Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 14 July 2021
40. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the breakdown of SEAI home grants funding by local authorities for each of the years 2018 to 2020 and to date in 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38384/21]
View answerThe Programme for Government and the Climate Action Plan set ambitious targets to retrofit 500,000 homes to a Building Energy Rating of B2/cost optimal and to install 400,000 heat pumps in existing buildings over the next 10 years.
€221.5 million in capital funding has been provided this year for SEAI residential and community retrofit programmes. This represents an 82% increase on the 2020 allocation and is the largest amount ever for the schemes. This allocation has facilitated the expansion and improvement of existing SEAI grant schemes and the introduction of new initiatives.
SEAI does not hold data on grant funding provided by local authority area. However, a breakdown of funding by county is available and I have asked the SEAI to provide this information to the Deputy
It is important to note that the number of retrofits last year were unfortunately, negatively impacted by COVID-19 related restrictions. Enhanced COVID restrictions between January and April also had a significant impact on activity this year. Every effort is being made to maximise activity now that construction activity in the residential sector has recommenced.
