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Energy Conservation

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 16 September 2021

Thursday, 16 September 2021

Questions (46)

Kieran O'Donnell

Question:

46. Deputy Kieran O'Donnell asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his plans for future iterations of the warmer homes, better energy communities and SEAI schemes due to the need to ramp up retrofitting of homes, the need to fast-track current applications and delivery of such schemes; the current number of applications being processed by county and by the length of time for works to be carried out in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44225/21]

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Written answers

The Programme for Government and the Climate Action Plan set ambitious targets to retrofit 500,000 homes to a Building Energy Rating of B2 or cost optimal and to install 400,000 heat pumps in existing buildings over the next 10 years. A new National Retrofit Plan will be published in quarter 4 of this year. The plan is designed to address barriers to energy efficiency investments in four key areas: customer proposition and demand generation, financing and affordability, supplier capacity, and governance.

SEAI grant schemes will be a central element of the Government's approach to achieving our retrofit targets.  It is intended to launch a new National Retrofit Scheme focused on achieving B2 retrofits later this year.  The existing SEAI grant schemes will be aligned with the National Retrofit Scheme as appropriate.  

There are currently just over 7,000 homeowners on the Warmer Homes Scheme work programme. Information on waiting time by county is not held. However, SEAI data indicates that for homes completed to date in 2021, the average time from application to completion was approximately 26 months countrywide. The average wait times have increased significantly in 2021 due to the extensive COVID-19 related restrictions on construction activity.  Every effort is being made to maximise activity now that construction activity in the residential sector has recommenced.

The information requested in relation to applications currently being processed on a county basis across other SEAI schemes is not readily available. I have asked the SEAI to compile the available data and forward it to the Deputy as soon as possible.

Question No. 47 answered with Question No. 44.
Question No. 48 answered with Question No. 44.
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