Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 27 July 2021
155. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the estimated number of households that will have their homes retrofitted under the various schemes in 2021 and 2022, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41129/21]
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. Some €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. A further €65 million has been allocated to retrofit social housing administered by the Department of Housing.
Prior to the introduction of enhanced COVID restrictions in January 2021, it was estimated that, in total, SEAI residential and community schemes would deliver over 29,000 retrofits including approximately 8,000 to a B2 level. Since April 12th when construction activity in the residential sector recommenced every effort has been made to maximise activity.
To date in 2021 over 5,700 homes have been retrofitted under the SEAI schemes. Now that there has been a number of months of retrofit activity the Department and SEAI are currently working to revise the output projection for 2021.
A projection of homes to be retrofitted in 2022 will form part of the annual Estimates process.
