Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 22 February 2022
141. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if retrofitting grants will be available to persons with solid fuel central heating systems; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9623/22]
View answerThe Programme for Government and the Climate Action Plan set ambitious targets to retrofit 500,000 homes to a Building Energy Rating of B2 (or cost optimal equivalent), and to install 400,000 heat pumps to replace existing heating systems by 2030. The review of the National Development Plan (NDP) resulted in an unprecedented financial commitment to support achievement of the Government’s retrofit targets. A total of €8 billion of Exchequer funding (including €5 billion in carbon tax revenues) will be available to support residential upgrades to 2030.
The Government has recently approved a package of improvements including increased grants of up to 50% and other supports as part of the accelerated delivery of 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 and lower emissions.
Persons with solid fuel central heating systems who wish to install heat pumps are eligible for retrofitting grants available from the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland.
Grants for heat pumps are available under the National Home Energy Upgrade Scheme as well as under the Community Energy Grant scheme as part of a whole house upgrade solution, because in these instances they tend to be required to achieve an energy efficient home to B2.
Grants for heat pumps are also available as individual measures under the Better Energy Homes Scheme.
