I propose to take Questions Nos. 158 and 159 together. 158 and 159 together.
This year, €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. Of the total budget, €109 million is allocated to provide free upgrades for lower income households with the balance to be spent on expanding existing SEAI residential and community grant schemes and introducing new initiatives.
SEAI Scheme
|
Budget (€M)
|
Expenditure €M (To end Sept)
|
Projected expenditure to year end €M
|
No. of Homes Upgraded (To end Sept)
|
Better Energy Homes
|
€37.1
|
€10.40
|
€18.40
|
5,524
|
Better Energy Warmer Homes
|
€100
|
€20.86
|
€50
|
1,270
|
Better Energy Warmth and Wellbeing
|
€9
|
€1.95
|
€4.70
|
91
|
Deep Retrofit
|
€3.4
|
€0.89
|
€2.80
|
10
|
Solar PV (Domestic only)
|
€8
|
€5.33
|
€8.60
|
2,328
|
Community Energy Grants*
|
€40
|
€9.09
|
€26.60
|
142
|
National Retrofit Scheme (One Stop Shop Dev. Call)
|
€21.5
|
€4.83
|
€14.60
|
460
|
*including community activation
Extensive COVID-19 related restrictions on construction activity in the residential sector between January and April have had a significant impact on activity and expenditure this year. Over 9,800 retrofits have been delivered to date in 2021 and the SEAI estimate that will rise to over 16,000 homes retrofitted by the end of the year. Information on the number of homes in which work is expected to start under the Warmer Homes Scheme before the end of 2021 is not readily available.