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Energy Conservation

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 19 October 2021

Tuesday, 19 October 2021

Questions (258, 263, 264)

Alan Farrell

Question:

258. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the estimated number of gas boilers being used in Irish homes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50476/21]

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Alan Farrell

Question:

263. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if further supports are being considered to incentivise a greater take-up of retrofitting in Irish homes; if so, if he will provide details of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50481/21]

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Alan Farrell

Question:

264. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the supports that are being considered specifically for middle income earners that do not currently qualify for free retrofitting supports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50482/21]

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Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 258, 263 and 264 together.

The Climate Action Plan and Programme for Government set highly ambitious targets for the number and depth of retrofits to be completed by 2030. A new National Retrofit Plan to be published shortly will detail the Government’s approach to meeting these targets and will address barriers to retrofit across four key areas: driving demand and activity; financing and affordability; supply chain, skills and standards; and structures and governance.

It is estimated that 700,000 homes are currently using networked gas or LPG for their home heating needs. Improving the energy efficiency and decarbonising our homes is a critical climate priority and a major focus of the funding provided in the National Development Plan review.  €5 billion in carbon tax receipts will be invested by my Department to support the achievement of our national targets which are to retrofit 500,000 homes to a Building Energy Rating of B2/cost optimal or carbon equivalent and to install 400,000 heat pumps in existing homes by 2030. 

Budget 2022 commits €202 million in carbon tax revenue to fund the SEAI residential and community retrofit schemes and a further €10 million from the Exchequer for the Solar PV scheme. This investment will support over 22,000 home energy upgrades, including over 6,000 homes to a Building Energy Rating (BER) of B2. It will deliver warmer, healthier and more comfortable homes with lower energy bills. It will also reduce emissions from the residential sector and improve air quality.

The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) residential and community energy efficiency schemes will be a central element of the Government’s retrofit plan. These schemes provide free energy upgrades for households in, or at risk of, energy poverty as well as partial grants for those that can contribute to the cost. Full details on the application processes for the range of schemes operated by the SEAI are available at www.seai.ie.

A new National Home Retrofit Scheme will be launched at the end of this year. The Scheme will support homeowners to achieve deeper (B2) retrofits with heat pumps and will facilitate continuous, year-round working and the multi-year planning which has long been identified as a crucial requirement by the supply chain and homeowners. Information on this scheme will be published at its launch.   

My Department is also engaging with Department of Finance and the Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland in relation to the development of a residential retrofit loan guarantee scheme. The loan guarantee, which is co-funded by the EU, will enable credit institutions to offer loans with reduced interest rates and make comprehensive home energy efficiency upgrades more affordable to consumers. As a result, households will be able to enjoy more comfortable and healthier homes with a lower carbon footprint.

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