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Tuesday, 15 Feb 2022

Written Answers Nos. 204-223

Climate Action Plan

Questions (204)

Mary Lou McDonald

Question:

204. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when the Climate Action Plan for 2022 will be published. [7594/22]

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Written answers

The climate ambition in the Programme for Government has been placed on a statutory footing through the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Act 2021, which was signed into law in July 2021. The Act commits Ireland to achieve a climate neutral economy by no later than 2050, and provides for a 51% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 compared to 2018 levels.

The significantly strengthened legally binding framework under the Act sets clear targets and commitments in law, including embedding a process of carbon budgeting and sectoral emissions ceilings, and will help ensure that Ireland achieves its climate goals and obligations in the near and long-term. Establishing these requirements in legislation places a clear obligation on this and future governments for sustained climate action.

To deliver on the ambition set out in the Act, the Government published the Climate Action Plan 2021 last November. The 2021 Plan identifies the actions necessary to achieve our emissions reductions targets for each sector of the economy, based on their respective starting points, and the relative challenges and benefits, of reducing emissions. The indicative ranges of emissions reductions for each sector, as set out in the 2021 Plan, will become specific ceilings in the Climate Action Plan 2022, following the legal adoption of carbon budgets and sectoral emissions ceilings. My Department will, in the coming months, engage proactively with the public, key stakeholders, and other Government Departments to prepare the 2022 Plan which I expect to publish it in Q4 of this year.

Departmental Schemes

Questions (205, 211, 217, 228)

Denise Mitchell

Question:

205. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if consideration has been given to allowing persons who have had partial works completed under the warmer homes scheme to reapply for further insulation works to be carried out; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7609/22]

View answer

Seán Haughey

Question:

211. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his plans to revise the warmer homes scheme operated by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland; if he can amend the scheme in order that a householder that previously availed of the scheme for an attic insulation can subsequently apply for an insulation of exterior walls; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7850/22]

View answer

Paul McAuliffe

Question:

217. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his plans to amend the better energy warmer homes grants scheme to allow second-time applicants to apply; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8064/22]

View answer

Richard Bruton

Question:

228. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if the restriction on the eligibility of persons for the warmer homes scheme that have had works done previously under the scheme has been lifted as part of the new retrofit strategy. [8220/22]

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Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 205, 211, 217 and 228 together.

The Better Energy Warmer Homes Scheme delivers free energy upgrades for eligible homeowners in low income households who are most at risk of energy poverty. It is administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI). Since the start of the scheme in 2000, over 143,000 free upgrades have been supported by the scheme. In 2021, the average cost of the energy efficiency measures provided per household had increased to €17,100.

A budget allocation of €109 million has been provided for this scheme this year. This will support an increase in the number of free home upgrades, from an average of 177 per month in 2021 to 400 per month this year, helping to reduce waiting times.

My Department committed to review the qualifying criteria for the scheme and the Government has announced several revisions to the scheme. In this regard, applications may be accepted from qualifying homeowners who previously received supports under the scheme, but who could still benefit from deeper upgrade measures. This means that homeowners will not be precluded from applying for a second time for qualifying works not previously carried out on their properties.

Postal Services

Questions (206)

David Stanton

Question:

206. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications further to Parliamentary Question No. 154 of 1 December 2020, the progress his officials have made during their interaction with An Post, Ordnance Survey Ireland and organisations (details supplied) to improve and expedite the existing process with respect to the earlier assignment of eircodes to new builds; if his attention has been draw to the fact that delays in assigning eircodes to renovated buildings can also impact on the availability of supports such as well water grants; if plans are being considered to put in place measures to alleviate these difficulties; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7613/22]

View answer

Written answers

Capita Business Support Services Ireland, trading as Eircode, assigns Eircodes to new property addresses using a valid postal address and verified geo-locations.

An Post collects information on all new and existing buildings, including renovated buildings, along with changes to existing addresses and Ordnance Survey Ireland (OSi) provides the geo-locations for these buildings. An Post GeoDirectory (APG), a subsidiary company of An Post and OSi, issue a new release of the GeoDirectory database file on a quarterly basis to Eircode in accordance with their license agreement. Each new postal address assigned an Eircode is published on the free to use Eircode Finder website, a notification letter is issued to the property occupant containing the Eircode of that address and an updated Eircode Database is provided to licensed organisations for use. Eircode have informed my officials that over 160,000 property addresses have been assigned an Eircode since the launch in 2015.

Once the Eircode database is updated on a quarterly basis it is then a matter for individual organisations to apply and integrate the latest Eircode updates into their systems to meet their needs and those of their customers, in accordance with the terms of their license agreements.

Operational matters and decisions of local authorities, including the updating of their database, are a matter for individual local authorities and are not matters in which I have a direct function.

My officials have been in ongoing engagement with An Post, APG, OSI and Capita on the matter of early assignment of Eircodes. Earlier assignment of Eircodes is contingent on An Post facilitating the increased frequency of new and changed addresses in the GeoDirectory database from quarterly to monthly to Eircode, through their subsidiary APG. An Post have taken a leading role in the analysis and developing proposals for a full monthly solution of the GeoDirectory database and work is progressing on a feasible solution for new properties with postal addresses and geo-locations.

Pension Provisions

Questions (207)

Niall Collins

Question:

207. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications further to Parliamentary Question No. 238 of 28 September 2021, if he will provide an update; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7614/22]

View answer

Written answers

My Department has examined the archived files and having found some records has followed up with National Shared Services Office who will be in contact with person concerned. My Department will also be in contact with the individual concerned.

Departmental Schemes

Questions (208)

Darren O'Rourke

Question:

208. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the status of the seven successful community projects in RESS-1; if all the projects are still progressing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7646/22]

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Written answers

The Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (RESS) is the main Government policy to help deliver on the ambition in the Climate Action Plan 2021 of up to 80% renewable electricity by 2030. The RESS supports communities in a variety of ways including through a separate category for community projects and a mandatory community benefit fund for every project supported in the scheme.

The Climate Action Plan includes a target for at least 500MW of renewable electricity to be supplied by local community-based projects; to reach this target at least 100 community projects will be needed. In order to ensure such a pipeline of community projects I have allocated €2 million in capital funding in Budget 2022 to the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI). This funding will enable SEAI to deploy a range of capacity-building supports including an information warehouse, trusted intermediary and advisor services, and financial grant supports all of which are vital to support community-owned RESS projects in being built. Some of this framework of supports is already in place with additional elements to be delivered in early 2022.

Prior to the RESS there was only one community-led renewable electricity project in Ireland, the Templederry Community Wind farm in Tipperary. The first RESS auction (RESS-1) included a dedicated community category in which seven projects were selected for support, comprising five solar and two wind projects. The projects are still progressing and a number of milestones remain for each community project to meet in order for them to be eligible for support under RESS-1.

Air Quality

Questions (209)

Jackie Cahill

Question:

209. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if compensation will be provided to those in the fuel merchant industry following the implementation of the smoky fuel ban; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7697/22]

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Written answers

Air pollution from fine particulate matter (PM2.5), which is most closely associated with the domestic burning of solid fuels, contributes to some 1,300 premature deaths in Ireland each year, according to the European Environment Agency.It is clear we must take action on this issue and my Department is currently developing new regulations on a broader range of solid fuels, in line with a commitment given in the Programme for Government.

To this end, I announced last September, that new solid fuel regulations will be introduced from September 2022 onwards, which will set minimum standards for all solid fuels placed on the market in Ireland. Introducing these standards will improve the quality of the air that we breathe, and the health of the public that we serve. Compensation for fuel merchants does not form part of the package of measures to be introduced.

I made the announcement one year ahead of the introduction of new regulations in order to provide industry and retailers with sufficient notice to run down existing stocks, and to make appropriate arrangements regarding supplies for the 2022/23 heating season. Officials of my Department have held meetings with industry representatives and are currently arranging a meeting with retailer groups, to discuss the impact of the new regulations.

Energy Conservation

Questions (210)

Jennifer Whitmore

Question:

210. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will provide the funding, the target set and the number of houses completed for each retrofitting scheme in each year since the enactment of each scheme (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7756/22]

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Written answers

Residential retrofit is a key element of the Government’s plans for economic growth and development through Exchequer investment. My Department funds a number of grant schemes, administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) to support homeowners to improve the energy efficiency of their properties. Partial grants are available for individuals that can afford to contribute to the cost of upgrades as well as free energy efficiency retrofits for people at risk of energy poverty.

It was not possible to compile the detailed information sought by the Deputy in the short timeframe available. However, data from the SEAI indicates that since 2000, over 465,000 homeowners have upgraded their homes with support from these schemes, representing nearly one home in four across the country. This has resulted in warmer, healthier and more comfortable homes that are easier and cheaper to heat and light.

Detailed information in relation to home retrofit schemes for 2020 and 2021 is set out in the table below. Of course activity in respect of both calendar years was significantly impacted by restrictions arising from the Covid-19 pandemic.

Capital Allocation

Outturns

Projected Output (Homes)

Actual Output (Homes)

YEAR

2020 €m

2021 €m

2020 €m

2021 €m

2020

2021

2020

2021

Better Energy Warmer Homes

52.8

100.0

23.4

38.1

4,168

5,500

1,524

2,126

Better Energy Warmth & Wellbeing

6.0

9.0

2.1

3.3

628

368

91

146

Better Energy Homes

21.0

34.1

18.3

14.9

16,187

14,583

12,227

7,928

Solar PV

7.8

11.0

7.8

9.8

1,408

3,290

2,917

4,089

Better Energy Communities (Community Energy Grants/Sustainable Communities)

22.0

40.0

18.7

21.8

628

619

656

353

Deep Retrofit

11.8

3.4

8.2

1.2

250

0

196

10

National Retrofit Scheme (One Stop Shop Development Call)

N/A

21.5

N/A

9.7

N/A

1,518

N/A

805

Question No. 211 answered with Question No. 205.

Departmental Schemes

Questions (212)

Seán Canney

Question:

212. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if his attention has been drawn to the fact that applications for the warmer homes scheme are taking over two years to assess; if he will provide an update on the measures he has put in place to expedite this process to ensure an early delivery of much needed insulation works to homes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7891/22]

View answer

Written answers

The Better Energy Warmer Homes Scheme delivers free energy upgrades for eligible homeowners in low-income households who are most at risk of energy poverty. It is administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI). Since the start of the scheme in 2000, over 143,000 free upgrades have been supported. In 2021, the average cost of the energy efficiency measures provided per household had increased significantly to €17,100.

There are currently just over 7,000 homes awaiting works on the Better Energy Warmer Homes Scheme work programme. This includes homes that are:

- Awaiting the initial survey of their home;

- Have completed an initial home survey and are awaiting allocation to a contractor;

- Have been allocated to a contractor for works; or,

- Currently undergoing works.

Activity under the Scheme, and the associated expenditure, were significantly impacted in both 2020 and 2021 by the COVID pandemic. SEAI data indicates that for homes completed in 2021, the average cycle time from application to completion was approximately 26 months. While this delay was largely driven by Covid related issues, the deeper measures being provided under the scheme since 2018, also involve more substantive works.

In order to reduce this timeline to completion, the following key actions are being taken:

- The budget, at €109 million, is nearly three times the 2021 outturn (€38 million) and funding has also been sought through the European Regional Development Fund;

- The number of homes retrofitted under the scheme are due to increase from 177 per month in 2021 to 400 per month in 2022;

- SEAI has allocated additional staff for the Better Energy Warmer Homes Scheme;

- SEAI is working to increase contractor output through active contract engagement and management.

Works under the Scheme recommenced in line with activity in the residential construction sector and activity did ramp up again towards the end of last year. Based on the foregoing, SEAI target clearing the homes currently on the waiting list in approximately 18 months.

In the context of recent increases in energy bills, the Government has announced a package of supports which include:

- a number of other changes to the Warmer Homes Scheme to better target the support available to those most in need in line with commitments set out in the National Retrofit Plan;

- the introduction of an emergency measure which will provide a €200 credit to all domestic electricity accounts;

- increased grants for attic and cavity wall insulation, covering 80% of the cost to homeowners of these highly cost-effective upgrade measures; and,

- a lump sum payment of €125 on the fuel allowance to be paid in early March to 390,000 recipients.

Departmental Strategies

Questions (213, 214)

Eoin Ó Broin

Question:

213. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when the review of the implementation of the Energy Poverty Strategy 2016-2019 will be published. [7894/22]

View answer

Carol Nolan

Question:

214. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he plans to update the Strategy to Combat Energy Poverty 2016-2019; if so, the progress to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7979/22]

View answer

Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 213 and 214 together.

Energy poverty or fuel poverty is influenced by, inter alia, a person’s income, the energy efficiency of their home and the cost of the energy they use in their home. The Government’s Strategy to Combat Energy Poverty was published in 2016 and progress includes:

- Funding for SEAI's free energy poverty retrofit schemes has increased dramatically over the period from €15 million in 2015 to over €118 million this year;

- The Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage will invest a further €85 million as part of the Social Housing Retrofit Programme this year;

- The Fuel Allowance has increased from €20 per week in 2014/15 to €33 per week for 2021/22 or €924 per year, as well as an extension of the eligibility criteria for the payment, by the Minister for Social Protection.

- The Housing for All Strategy has committed to introducing additional rent controls that will result in rental properties having a required minimum Building Energy Rating;

- Protections are in place for customers falling into arrears on their energy bills.

Research published in 2016 found that 28% of households in Ireland would need to spend more than 10% of their income on their energy needs. More recently, the ESRI carried out an analysis of the number of households at risk of experiencing energy poverty. This showed that the share of households needing to spend more than 10% of their income on their energy needs was 17.5% in 2020. The Survey on Income and Living Conditions indicates that the proportion of people who reported that they are unable to afford to keep their home adequately warm, had fallen from 9% in 2015 to 3.4% in 2020.

In light of increased energy bills more recently, the Government has announced a package of supports which include:

- a number of changes to the Warmer Homes Scheme to better target the support available to those most in need in line with commitments set out in the National Retrofit Plan.

- the introduction of an emergency measure which will provide a €200 credit to all domestic electricity accounts;

- increased grants for attic and cavity wall insulation, covering 80% of the cost to homeowners of these highly cost-effective upgrade measures; and

- a lump sum payment of €125 on the fuel allowance to be paid in early March to 390,000 recipients.

A review of the implementation of the Strategy to Combat Energy Poverty will be completed in the coming months to inform future policy in this area.

Question No. 214 answered with Question No. 213.

Waste Management

Questions (215)

Carol Nolan

Question:

215. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the status of proposals to provide an annual support towards the cost of bin charges for homes in which a family member uses incontinence pads; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7994/22]

View answer

Written answers

I refer to the reply to Question No 60 of 9 September 2021. The position is unchanged.

State Bodies

Questions (216)

Bríd Smith

Question:

216. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the total funding allocated to the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland from 2010 to 2021 and to date in 2022; and the projection for the coming years by each category and each scheme operated by the SEAI in tabular form. [8012/22]

View answer

Written answers

The total funding allocated to the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) from 2010 to 2022 is set out below.

YEAR

TOTAL FUNDING ALLOCATED TO SEAI

2010

€126.5m

2011

€113.3m

2012

€74.3m

2013

€62.3m

2014

€77.7m

2015

€67.0m

2016

€82.6m

2017

€113.9m

2018

€152.0m

2019

€184.7m

2020

€208.0m

2021

€311.9m

2022

€366.8m

The breakdown of total funding allocated to SEAI in 2022 is set out below.

CATEGORY

CURRENT

CAPITAL

TOTAL

SEAI Pay and General Administration

€21.970m

€21.970m

Residential /Community Retrofit Programmes

€7.230m

€267.2m

€274.430m

Other Energy Efficiency Programmes

€6.165m

€40m

€46.165m

Energy Research Programmes

€2.390m

€21.8m

€24.190m

TOTAL

€37.755m

€329m

€366.755m

Residential retrofit is a key element of the Government’s plans for economic growth and development through Exchequer investment. The Government has approved a package of supports to make it easier and more affordable for homeowners to undertake home energy upgrades, for warmer, healthier and more comfortable homes, with lower energy bills. The measures address barriers to undertaking energy upgrades (retrofits) reported by homeowners and those working in the industry. They also reflect the step-change needed – in pace and scale of delivery – to achieve our target of 500,000 home energy upgrades, to B2 Building Energy Rating (BER) standard, by 2030.

The changes represent an important step in delivery of the National Retrofit Plan, which identifies a range of measures aimed at driving demand for retrofit, expanding the size and capacity of the supply chain, as well as making retrofits more affordable.

The allocations for retrofit funding for the coming years are set out in the Climate Action Plan. The table below shows the funding under the National Retrofit Plan for the years to end-2025.

YEAR

TOTAL RETROFIT FUNDING IN NATIONAL RETROFIT PLAN

2023

€291m

2024

€380m

2025

€469m

Question No. 217 answered with Question No. 205.

Departmental Schemes

Questions (218)

Paul McAuliffe

Question:

218. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the breakdown of successful better energy warmer home applicants by local authority in Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8065/22]

View answer

Written answers

The Better Energy Warmer Homes Scheme delivers free energy upgrades for eligible homeowners in low income households who are most at risk of energy poverty. It is administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI). Since the start of the scheme in 2000, over 143,000 free upgrades have been supported by the scheme. In 2021, the average cost of the energy efficiency measures provided per household had increased significantly to €17,100.

A budget allocation of €109 million has been provided for this scheme this year. This will support an increase in the number of free home upgrades, from an average of 177 per month in 2021 to 400 per month this year, helping to reduce waiting times.

SEAI does not maintain data on successful applicants by Local Authority area in Dublin. However, the following table contains information on homes completed in Dublin under the Better Energy Warmer Homes Scheme in the past five years:

2017

2018

2019

2020

2021

1,598

831

651

504

693

Departmental Schemes

Questions (219)

Neale Richmond

Question:

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 answer

Written answers

The 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.

Departmental Schemes

Questions (220)

Dara Calleary

Question:

220. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the way that apartment owners will qualify for the revised home energy upgrade scheme; if applications can be made by multi-units to enhance the efficiency of the process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8069/22]

View answer

Written answers

The Government has approved a package of supports as part of the delivery Ireland’s residential retrofit programme. These measures are aimed at making it easier and more affordable for homeowners to undertake home energy upgrades, for warmer, healthier and more comfortable homes, with lower energy bills.

Included in these measures is the establishment of the new National Home Energy Upgrade Scheme, offering increased grant levels of up to 50% of the cost of a typical B2 home energy upgrade with a heat pump (up from the current level of 30-35%).

The new grant rates available for relevant measures under the National Home Energy Upgrade Scheme will also be available under the Better Energy Homes Scheme and the Community Energy Grant Scheme. This will help to ensure that homeowners are clear about which grant scheme is most appropriate to their needs.

The new National Home Energy Upgrade Scheme is a demand-led initiative that introduces a new way to undertake home energy upgrades with One-Stop-Shops providing an end-to-end service for homeowners. This includes surveying the home; designing the upgrades; managing the grant process; helping with access to finance; engaging contractors to deliver the work; and quality assuring the work.

Homes, built and occupied pre-2011, and owned by private homeowners, non-corporate landlords and Approved Housing Bodies are eligible for the scheme. Individual apartments can receive support across the range of schemes.

It is also worth noting that a key feature of the new one stop shop model is that it will bring together groups of homes for aggregated projects thereby creating efficiencies in delivery and developing new innovation in processes and technologies.

More broadly, officials of my Department will be working with Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) to separately consider the best approach to deal with apartment buildings that are multi-unit buildings with common areas, rather than individual units. This will be investigated in 2022 to consider approaches to support whole building solutions.

Departmental Schemes

Questions (221)

Dara Calleary

Question:

221. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the way that homeowners that are participants in the defective concrete blocks scheme can avail of the home energy upgrade scheme; the way that the scheme will be rolled out to them in view of the level of work already going to be carried out on their homes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8070/22]

View answer

Written answers

The Programme for Government and Climate Action Plan set ambitious targets to retrofit the equivalent of 500,000 homes to a Building Energy Rating (BER) of B2/cost optimal level and the installation of 400,000 heat pumps in existing homes by end-2030. This represents approximately 30% of the housing stock and is among the most ambitious retrofit programmes worldwide.

Recognising that the achievement of these targets will require a step-change in the pace and scale of delivery Ireland’s residential retrofit programme, the Government has approved a package of supports to make it easier and more affordable for homeowners to undertake home energy upgrades, for warmer, healthier and more comfortable homes, with lower energy bills.

The key measures include:

- A new National Home Energy Upgrade Scheme providing increased grant levels of up to 50% of the cost of a typical deep retrofit to a B2 BER standard (up from 30%-35% grants currently).

- Establishment of a network of registered One Stop Shops to offer a new, start-to-finish project management service, including access to financing, for home energy upgrades.

- Increases in grant levels for certain measures under the Better Energy Home scheme and Community - A special enhanced grant rate, equivalent to 80% of the typical cost, for attic and cavity wall insulation for all households, to urgently reduce energy use as part of the government’s response to current exceptionally high energy prices.

- The year of construction rule will also be amended as follows to bring the scheme into alignment with other relevant SEAI schemes.

Current Rule

New Rule

Fabric

pre 2006

pre 2011

Heat Pumps/Solar Thermal to align with SPV

pre 2011

pre 2021

Participants in the defective blocks scheme can also apply for SEAI funding in line with the relevant eligibility criteria for the Schemes. Full details are available from the SEAI on 1850 250 204 or their website at: www.seai.ie/grants/

The defective blocks scheme is the responsibility of my colleague the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage.

Departmental Schemes

Questions (222)

Dara Calleary

Question:

222. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if homeowners that have made energy upgrade investments in recent years will be able to avail of refunds given the increased level of supports now available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8071/22]

View answer

Written answers

The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) manage a number of residential and community energy upgrade grant support schemes on behalf of my Department. These schemes have terms and conditions in place to ensure the transparent administration of public monies. Achieving this requires that the processes and systems are clear and efficient and operate in a manner which is clear and fair to all applicants. As a publicly funded programme, the rules around grant application must be adhered to by SEAI in all cases.

Homeowners who have previously availed of grant support through the SEAI under the terms and conditions at the time will not be entitled to retrospective refunds. The recent Government decision to provide enhanced grant assistance for residential retrofitting measures is to incentivise future behaviour.

Departmental Schemes

Questions (223)

Darren O'Rourke

Question:

223. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the reason that disincentives for landlords not retrofitting their houses were not included in the new National Retrofit Plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8166/22]

View answer

Written answers

The Government has approved a package of supports as part of the delivery Ireland’s residential retrofit programme. These measures are aimed at making it easier and more affordable for homeowners to undertake home energy upgrades, for warmer, healthier and more comfortable homes, with lower energy bills.

These new measures include:

- The establishment of the new National Home Energy Upgrade Scheme, offering increased grant levels of up to 50% of the cost of a typical B2 home energy upgrade with a heat pump (up from the current level of 30-35%).

- Establishment of a network of registered One Stop Shops to offer a hassle-free, start-to-finish project management service, including access to financing, for home energy upgrades.

- A special enhanced grant rate, equivalent to 80% of the typical cost, for attic and cavity wall insulation for all households, to urgently reduce energy use as part of the government’s response to current exceptionally high energy prices.

I recognise that rental properties can present a specific challenge for energy efficiency improvements. This is an issue found in most countries where the incentives to invest in energy upgrades can be misaligned between landlords and tenants. Therefore, homes, built and occupied pre-2011, and owned by non-corporate landlords are eligible for these new measures. This will mean that the national housing stock is upgraded and tenants get lower energy bills and a more comfortable place to live.

It is also intended that non-corporate landlords will be able to avail of the planned low-cost loan scheme for retrofit when it is launched later this year.

Furthermore, the Housing for All Strategy which is being implemented by the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage includes a commitment to introduce minimum energy standards for rental properties from 2025.

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