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Energy Conservation

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 2 November 2021

Tuesday, 2 November 2021

Questions (163)

Catherine Murphy

Question:

163. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of service technicians qualified to retrofit homes with energy upgrades; if he will consider putting together a database of qualified technicians similar to that which exists for those dealing with gas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53329/21]

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Written answers

There is no specific category of “service technicians” for home energy upgrades.  Various trades are involved in the different elements of home energy upgrades or retrofit.  These include electricians, electrical fitters, insulation installers, roofers, plumbers, heating and ventilating engineers, carpenters, joiners, glaziers, window fabricators and fitters, plasterers, painters and decorators. For that reason, there is no such single register.     SEAI requires that contractors carrying out works on homes funded with Government grant support adhere to the regulations, standards and requirements for installers, products and installations. In essence the works must be carried out by competent personnel appropriately trained for each element of works being carried out. The competency standard relating to each specific energy upgrade or measure are specified in SEAI Domestic Technical Standard Specification.  Many of these energy upgrade works are using existing schemes and registers, e.g. External and Cavity insulation contractors being approved by NSAI Agrément scheme, Solar PV installers being registered electrical contractors or Heat Pumps being installed by qualified plumbers who have completed specific training courses.

SEAI has delegated responsibility to maintain an Irish Renewable Installer Register under SI 482 of 2014. Installers of the associated technologies (small-scale biomass boilers and stoves, solar photovoltaic, solar thermal systems, shallow geothermal systems and heat pumps) are required to be certified by an accredited training programme or training provider that is accredited by SEAI.   In addition the Construction Industry Register Ireland (CIRI) is an online register, supported by Government, of competent builders, contractors, specialist sub-contractors and tradespersons who undertake to carry out construction works.  This register will be placed on a statutory footing next year. 

SEAI are also in the process of putting in place a registration scheme for One Stop Shops.  These are entities which offer and deliver an end-to-end service to advise upon and carry out all aspects of a home energy upgrade.  These entities and other service providers then employ the mix of trades and skilled operatives to deliver the work to the required standards.    

Government, through the National Retrofit Plan, is creating the conditions for companies in retrofit to expand and grow.  This will lead to more career opportunities in the green economy in general and the retrofit sector in particular.

Question No. 164 answered with Question No. 136.
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