Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 19 October 2021
268. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of one-stop-shop, home improvement schemes that have been completed through SEAI in each of the past five years; the average waiting time from application for the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50529/21]
View answer299. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the average grant provided to a household for retrofitting their home; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51294/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 268 and 299 together.
This year, some €221.5 million in capital funding was provided for SEAI residential and community retrofit schemes, including the Solar PV scheme and the Building Energy Rating programme. This represents an 82% increase on the 2020 allocation and is the largest amount ever for the schemes.
The National Home Retrofit Scheme (One-Stop-Shop Development Call) opened for applications in September 2020 with a funding allocation of €21.5 million for 2021. This Scheme is designed to encourage the development of retrofit One-Stop-Shops, to support home retrofit on a larger scale, and support the growth of the retrofitting industry. It facilitates home upgrades for private households, registered Housing Associations and Local Authorities who wish to participate in delivering home energy efficiency upgrades.
Following receipt and review of applications by the SEAI, 47 contracts were agreed with 24 participating One-Stop-Shops. Between them, upgrades were approved for over 1,500 homes to a Building Energy Rating of B2 or cost optimal energy standard as per Part L of the Building Regulations. The upgrades comprised a mix of privately owned homes and homes owned by Approved Housing Bodies.
The grant offerings to households range from approximately 35% for privately owned homes up to approximately 50% for Approved Housing Bodies. Based on the total grant offering across all 47 contracts, the average grant offering per house in 2021 was just over €15,000. Approximately 500 homes have been completed as of end September.
