I propose to take Questions Nos. 95, 105, 106, 107 and 110 together.
The information requested in the Questions is being compiled and will be forwarded to the Deputy.
The following deferred reply was received under Standing Order 51
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 or carbon equivalent and the installation of 400,000 heat pumps in existing homes to replace older, less efficient heating systems by end-2030. This represents approximately 30% of the housing stock and is among the most ambitious retrofit programmes worldwide.
The SEAI determines the depth of retrofit on a home by the post-works Building Energy Rating (BER) achieved following retrofit works. The post works BER ratings achieved by retrofit scheme in 2021 and 2022 are set out in the table below.
Building Energy Rating (BER) by Retrofit Scheme by Year
SEAI SCHEME
|
A1
|
A2
|
A3
|
B1
|
B2
|
B3
|
C1
|
C2
|
C3
|
D1
|
D2
|
E1
|
E2
|
F
|
G
|
Better Energy Warmer Homes
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2021
|
0.00%
|
0.00%
|
0.00%
|
0.17%
|
2.43%
|
13.09%
|
17.72%
|
16.56%
|
14.01%
|
12.22%
|
9.26%
|
6.31%
|
2.95%
|
2.84%
|
2.43%
|
2022
|
0.00%
|
0.00%
|
0.33%
|
0.83%
|
2.50%
|
11.01%
|
19.35%
|
17.01%
|
14.35%
|
12.68%
|
8.51%
|
5.59%
|
2.50%
|
3.00%
|
2.34%
|
Better Energy Warmth and Wellbeing
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2021
|
0.00%
|
0.00%
|
0.00%
|
0.00%
|
4.72%
|
22.83%
|
28.35%
|
19.69%
|
10.24%
|
11.02%
|
1.57%
|
0.79%
|
0.79%
|
0.00%
|
0.00%
|
2022
|
0.00%
|
0.00%
|
0.00%
|
0.00%
|
5.56%
|
25.00%
|
26.39%
|
18.06%
|
12.50%
|
8.33%
|
1.39%
|
1.39%
|
0.00%
|
0.00%
|
1.39%
|
Better Energy Homes
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2021
|
0.48%
|
2.48%
|
8.65%
|
3.25%
|
7.27%
|
17.44%
|
17.74%
|
14.25%
|
10.79%
|
7.97%
|
4.95%
|
2.37%
|
1.12%
|
0.72%
|
0.52%
|
2022
|
1.00%
|
4.09%
|
8.99%
|
4.36%
|
8.49%
|
17.67%
|
18.48%
|
13.12%
|
9.67%
|
6.13%
|
4.59%
|
1.63%
|
0.54%
|
0.73%
|
0.50%
|
Solar PV
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2021
|
1.57%
|
2.60%
|
6.12%
|
15.12%
|
19.77%
|
20.19%
|
13.27%
|
10.17%
|
10.14%
|
0.42%
|
0.22%
|
0.12%
|
0.12%
|
0.10%
|
0.05%
|
2022
|
2.76%
|
3.51%
|
7.55%
|
15.58%
|
19.42%
|
20.03%
|
12.68%
|
8.77%
|
8.50%
|
0.47%
|
0.27%
|
0.20%
|
0.07%
|
0.20%
|
0.00%
|
National Homes Retrofit
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2021
|
0.75%
|
6.21%
|
36.15%
|
37.27%
|
19.63%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2022
|
2.27%
|
11.36%
|
36.36%
|
36.36%
|
13.64%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Deep Retrofit
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2021
|
|
|
|
|
100.00%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2022
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Communities Energy Grants
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2021
|
|
|
|
|
100.00%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2022
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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 145,000 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 €17,620.
The table below sets out the combined number of oil and gas boilers installed under both the Warmer Homes Scheme and the Warmth & Wellbeing Scheme for the years 2016 – 2022 (to 25th May 2022).
Year
|
Warmth & Wellbeing Scheme
|
Warmer Homes Scheme
|
2016
|
27
|
175
|
2017
|
256
|
315
|
2018
|
355
|
535
|
2019
|
246
|
279
|
2020
|
69
|
403
|
2021
|
92
|
574
|
2022
|
51
|
373
|
Grand Total
|
1,101
|
2,696
|
SEAI does not record the type of replacement boiler in its database.
SEAI have advised that the breakdown of funds spent on boilers is not readily available as the Schemes provide a suite of measures to applicants, and the total costs per home are amalgamated.
The Energy Efficiency Obligation Scheme is a regulatory requirement on companies who sell a certain amount of energy. Under the scheme these companies are required to achieve a certain amount of energy savings each year. They can do this by working with energy users in the residential, commercial or public sector. They can deliver the energy savings they are required to make through their own programmes or can work with the existing energy efficiency support schemes offered by the Government through the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI). This includes energy upgrades to homes.
In total over 2021 and 2022, 22,110 homes were supported by obligated parties under the Energy Efficiency Obligation Scheme. Of these, 8,917 also received an SEAI grant under a residential or community grant scheme.
The table below sets out the number of homes supported by both EEOS and SEAI Grant Schemes for 2021 and to date in 2022.
|
2021
|
2022
|
Total
|
Homes supported by both EEOS and SEAI
|
7,570
|
1,347
|
8,917
|
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. 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 to heat and light.
One of the requirements for a dwelling to qualify for a grant for Heat Pump Systems is that the energy performance of the dwelling fabric is suitable for Heat Pump System installation.
A home does not fail a heat pump assessment - rather the assessment identifies the elements that require upgrading in the home for the installation of a heat pump. An independent Technical Advisor, who is registered with SEAI, is engaged by the homeowner. The Technical Advisor guides the homeowner on:
- the energy performance of the dwelling;
- the suitability of the dwelling for a heat pump system based on the dwelling’s heat loss; and
- measures necessary to ensure that the dwelling fabric heat loss is lowered to an acceptable level for a heat pump system to perform effectively and efficiently.
The table below sets out the number of heat pump installations by year for all SEAI Grant Schemes.
Number of heat pumps installed
|
2019
|
2020
|
2021
|
2022
|
Community Energy Grants
|
527
|
484
|
340
|
-
|
National Home Retrofit Scheme
|
-
|
-
|
781
|
230
|
Better Energy Homes Scheme
|
462
|
663
|
868
|
379
|
Warmer Homes Scheme
|
|
|
|
13
|