Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 15 February 2022
219. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the steps he has taken to ensure that homes which are deemed to be protected structures will be able to avail of the national retrofit scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8068/22]
View answerThe Climate Action Plan and the National Retrofit Plan identify the important contribution the retrofit of buildings needs to make in delivering on our national and international climate goals.
My Department funds a number of grant schemes to support homeowners to improve the energy efficiency of their properties. Enhancements to these schemes were announced last week with the launch of the National Home Energy Upgrade Scheme.
These schemes are administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) and may be applicable to homes that are protected structures. Grants for protected structures are available in certain circumstances subject to the scheme eligibility criteria and terms and conditions being met. Detailed information on the grants and eligibility criteria is available at www.seai.ie.
Protected structures are for the most part a subset of buildings categorised as traditionally built buildings. These tend to be stone or brick buildings which were designed to be vapour permeable and were mostly constructed before 1940. It is important that the materials and techniques used in energy efficiency upgrades of traditional buildings are suitable for the buildings in question including for use with vapour permeable construction where applicable. For example a stone wall with lime based mortar will need a lime based plaster render to remain vapour permeable.
Central policy responsibility for protected structures and listed buildings is a matter for the Department of Housing Local Government and Heritage. To support the proper upgrade of traditional buildings, including applicable listed buildings, a new Guidance Document - “Energy Efficiency in Traditional Buildings” is being developed by that Department. My Department and the SEAI are participating in the steering group overseeing the project. The objective is to finalise the guidance having regard to submissions received in the pubic consultation process with a view to publishing it this year.
