Brendan Griffin
Question:108. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if an Eircode will be assigned to a house (details supplied) in County Kerry. [40661/22]
View answerPostal Services
Questions (108)
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, as well as changes to existing addresses and Ordnance Survey Ireland provides the geo-locations for these buildings. An Post GeoDirectory (APG), a subsidiary company of An Post and Ordnance Survey Ireland (OSi), issue a new release of the GeoDirectory database file on a quarterly basis to Eircode in accordance with their licence agreement.
OSI have confirmed to my officials that the property in question has verified geo-location and my officials are liaising with An Post in relation to a verified postal address for this property. The updated information will be included in the next quarterly update of the database being supplied to Capita from APG. This quarterly update release of new Eircodes is due mid-November and will include a notification letter sent to each property providing the Eircode of that address. New Eircodes will be published on the free to use Eircode Finder website and an updated Eircode Database will be provided to licensed businesses for their use.
Capita have advised my officials that they have been in direct contact with the individual in question and will continue to monitor the case, reverting to the property owner with updates as soon as further information is available.
Budget 2023
Questions (109)
Jennifer Whitmore
Question:109. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the way that his Department plans to reflect the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals in Budget 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40669/22]
View answerWritten answers
The UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is a significant and ambitious policy agenda that concerns all Government Departments. The first National Implementation Plan 2018-2020, published in 2018, was developed to oversee and facilitate coherent implementation of the SDGs across Government, and to promote awareness of the SDGs.
My Department is currently finalising the next National Implementation Plan which I intend to publish later this year. The UN 2030 Agenda references the role and importance that national budgets play in the implementation of the SDGs. A key objective of the proposed new Implementation Plan is to embed the framework provided by the UN 2030 Agenda and the SDGs within the Irish policy environment, including national policies and programmes, to support work towards achieving the SDGs.
This plan will set out a robust framework to support coherent SDG implementation across Government and the mainstreaming of the SDGs into existing policies, including their integration into the principal administrative, planning and accountability structures across the Civil Service, such as the budgetary process. In this regard I anticipate that cognisance of international best practice and national developments in green, equality and well-being budgeting will be to the fore.
Budget 2023
Questions (110)
Jennifer Whitmore
Question:110. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the way that his Department plans to reflect the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals in Budget 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40670/22]
View answerWritten answers
The UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is a significant and ambitious policy agenda that concerns all Government Departments. The first National Implementation Plan 2018-2020, published in 2018, was developed to oversee and facilitate coherent implementation of the SDGs across Government, and to promote awareness of the SDGs.
My Department is currently finalising the next National Implementation Plan which I intend to publish later this year. The UN 2030 Agenda references the role and importance that national budgets play in the implementation of the SDGs. A key objective of the proposed new Implementation Plan is to embed the framework provided by the UN 2030 Agenda and the SDGs within the Irish policy environment, including national policies and programmes, to support work towards achieving the SDGs.
This plan will set out a robust framework to support coherent SDG implementation across Government and the mainstreaming of the SDGs into existing policies, including their integration into the principal administrative, planning and accountability structures across the Civil Service, such as the budgetary process. In this regard I anticipate that cognisance of international best practice and national developments in green, equality and well-being budgeting will be to the fore.
Middle East
Questions (111)
Jennifer Whitmore
Question:111. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he has engaged with the European Commission to ensure that a differentiation in respect of the Occupied Territories is included in the recently signed memorandum of understanding between the European Union, the State of Israel and the Arab Republic of Egypt regarding natural gas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40672/22]
View answerWritten answers
The trilateral Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the European Union, Israel and Egypt on cooperation related to natural gas was signed on 15 June 2022 in Cairo by European Commissioner for Energy, Kadri Simson. The agreement is part of the important efforts to strengthen energy security across the EU.
The European Union are represented by the European Commission in the MoU. I have not been involved in these negotiations.
Energy Conservation
Questions (112, 113)
Pádraig O'Sullivan
Question:112. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland grants approved to date in 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40716/22]
View answerJennifer Whitmore
Question:113. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of technical assessments for the potential retrofitting of homes carried out in 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40728/22]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 112 and 113 together.
Earlier this year, Government announced an enhanced 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. These 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.
- Establishment of a network of registered One Stop Shops to offer a start-to-finish project management service, including access to financing, for home energy upgrades.
- A significant increase in the number of free energy upgrades provided to those at risk of energy poverty alongside changes to the operation of the Warmer Homes Scheme. This includes ensuring the Scheme prioritises those in the worst performing homes first and opening the Scheme for homeowner ‘revisits’ thereby allowing them apply for deeper energy upgrade measures now available under the scheme.
- A special enhanced grant rate, equivalent to 80% of the typical cost, for attic and cavity wall insulation has also been introduced for all households. This will help to urgently reduce energy use as part of the Government’s response to current exceptionally high energy prices.
Since then, demand across the SEAI retrofit schemes has been exceptionally high with a very significant increase in the number of applications, year to date when compared to the same period in 2021. This strong pipeline of projects is translating into delivery.
This year there is a target to complete almost 27,000 home energy upgrades, including over 8,600 homes to a BER of B2. Figures provided by the SEAI show that to the end of June 8,628 homes have been completed across the residential energy efficiency schemes and of these, 2,681 have been upgraded to a post works Building Energy Rating (BER) of B2 or better.
Data provided by the SEAI, show that 22,185 applications have been received by SEAI across the Better Energy Homes scheme; Solar PV scheme; Better Energy Warmer Homes scheme; and Warmth and Well-being Pilot in the year to date to the end of June.
In addition, SEAI has indicated that the One Stop Shops have received over 18,000 initial expressions of interest by phone and online, showing the interest in the new offering. The SEAI advise that figures to the end of June show that 441 applications for home energy assessments and 210 applications for works have been submitted under the National Home Energy Upgrade Scheme with applications expected to increase in the coming months.
The Community Energy Grant Scheme is also available to homeowners who want to retrofit their homes as part of a community project and applications are submitted directly through the Scheme’s Project Co-ordinators.
Data provided by the SEAI show that 1,989 technical assessments were carried out in 2021. Technical assessments assess the homes suitability for the installation of heat pump including an assessment of the ventilation heat losses in the dwelling.
Question No. 113 answered with Question No. 112.
Departmental Schemes
Questions (114, 126)
Róisín Shortall
Question:114. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when low-cost loans for deep home retrofits will be available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40745/22]
View answer
Richard Bruton
Question:126. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if the terms of the low interest loans for retrofitting have been agreed; and if he will outline the provisions of same. [40998/22]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 114 and 126 together.
The Climate Action Plan and National Retrofit Plan have set ambitious targets to retrofit 500,000 homes to a Building Energy Rating of B2 or carbon equivalent and to install 400,000 heat pumps in existing buildings by the end of 2030.
The residential retrofit loan guarantee scheme is part of Ireland’s National Recovery and Resilience Plan and will be co-funded by the EU Recovery and Resilience Facility and Exchequer funding. My Department is engaging with the Department of Finance, the Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland, the Sustainable Energy Authority Ireland and the European Investment Bank in relation to the development of the scheme and market engagement is also on-going. The Invitation for Pre-Qualification stage to identify interested On-Lenders has now concluded. This is an important milestone in the development of the scheme. The Invitation for Allocation stage, planned for Q3 2022, will determine how much of the guaranteed loan portfolio will be allocated to each On-Lender. The Invitation for Allocation will set out the interest rate pricing approach under the scheme. The aim is to make the loans under the guarantee available in Q4 2022.
The loan guarantee will provide risk protection to retail credit institutions participating in the scheme. This will enable credit institutions to offer loans with reduced interest rates to private homeowners and non-corporate landlords and make comprehensive home energy efficiency upgrades more affordable to consumers. This approach will signal to the banking sector, new sustainable business opportunities associated with retrofit and the transition to a low carbon economy as well as increasing the volume of retrofit activity within the State.
Energy Policy
Questions (115)
Holly Cairns
Question:115. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his views on introducing a net metering or reverse metering system for farms who produce their own energy. [40777/22]
View answerWritten answers
On the 15 February this year I signed the Regulations (SI 76 of 2022) that transpose Articles 21 and 22 of the recast Renewable Energy Directive. These Regulations allow the Clean Export Guarantee (CEG) tariff to become available for new and existing micro-and small-scale generators so that they will receive payment from their electricity supplier for all excess renewable electricity they export to the grid, reflective of the market value.
These Regulations also transposed Articles 15 and 16 of the Internal Market for Electricity Directive (IMED) 2019. IMED supports a regime for self-consumers that is based in the use of smart meters to provide transparent system to record separately electricity consumed from the grid and electricity that is fed into the grid. To ensure transparent and cost reflective network charges IMED prohibits new net metering or reverse metering schemes after 4 July 2019.
It is important to note that businesses, including farms, will benefit most when they consume electricity on site from their own micro-generation. The financial business case for micro-generation for these electricity users is strong, with shorter payback periods available by matching generation with on-site demand; supplemented with export payments for excess renewable electricity.
Energy Prices
Questions (116)
Holly Cairns
Question:116. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the steps that he is taking in response to rising electricity costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40778/22]
View answerWritten answers
Government is acutely aware of the impact of high electricity and gas prices, and has introduced a range of measures to mitigate their impact. The most immediate factor affecting electricity prices in Ireland and Europe is high international gas prices where we are a price taker. Gas prices are now unprecedentedly high, which feeds directly through to retail electricity prices as the wholesale price of electricity correlates strongly with the price of gas.
Such measures include the Electricity Costs Emergency Benefit Payment which credited domestic electricity accounts with €176.22 (excl. VAT), in addition to the range of measures introduced on 10 February to address increasing costs of living, including the lump sum payment for people on the Fuel Allowance of €125, which was paid to recipients in March. The fuel allowance year 2021/2022 recipients received a total of €1,139, compared to €735 in 2020/21.
This year 58% (€203 million) of the total Government retrofit budget of €352 million will be spent on dedicated energy poverty retrofit supports and Local Authority retrofits. The wider package of energy efficiency supports, available from SEAI, make it easier and more affordable for homeowners to undertake home energy upgrades. These include changes to the Warmer Homes scheme which sees a significant increase in the number of free energy upgrades for those most as risk of energy poverty - from 177 upgrades per month last year to 400 per month.
On 13 April, in the context of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the Government published the National Energy Security Framework, which details of consumer supports and protections that are already in place and that are being enhanced including: - an additional €100 Fuel Allowance payment,- a new targeted €20 million scheme for the installation of Photo Voltaic (PV) panels for households that have a high reliance on electricity for medical reasons- a reduction in VAT from 13.5% to 9% on gas and electricity bills from the start of May until the end of October.
In addition, under Response 6 of the Framework the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) will implement a package of measures to enhance protections for financially vulnerable customers and customers in debt by quarter 3 - ahead of the next heating season.
Government continues to monitor this unprecedented and evolving situation closely to inform ongoing consideration of further action.
Fuel Prices
Questions (117)
Darren O'Rourke
Question:117. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the oversight measures that he has put in place to ensure that any decrease in global oil prices is passed onto Irish consumers at the forecourts and in home heating oil prices in a timely manner; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40798/22]
View answerWritten answers
Overall, the supply outlook for petroleum products in the Irish market is positive, with no major supply difficulties expected by industry. In addition, the National Oil Reserves Agency (NORA) currently holds approximately 85 days of oil stocks, the overwhelming majority of which is in the form of physical product, with approximately 85% stored on the island of Ireland.
Notwithstanding the positive supply outlook, my Department, in conjunction with NORA, continues to work closely with the petroleum industry to monitor supplies of oil into the Irish marketplace. NORA is ready to release strategic stocks to the market, if required.
In terms of pricing, the Irish retail oil sector is an open and competitive market. Accordingly, my Department has no role in the setting of fuel prices. The retail price of petrol and diesel at the pumps is determined by a number of factors, including the price of crude oil and refined product on the markets and, as oil is traded almost exclusively in US Dollars, the strength of the US Dollar against the Euro.
Currently, the European oil markets are tight, due primarily to the war in Ukraine, and in response to the corresponding high prices, on 10 March 2022 the Minister for Finance introduced a temporary reduction in the rate of excise duty by 20 cent per litre of petrol, 15 cent per litre of diesel and 2 cent on marked gas oil. These reductions are to remain in place until 31 August 2022. A further cut in excise duty of 1 cent per on petrol and diesel came into force on 1 April 2022.
To ensure that the domestic fuel market operates in the interest of consumers, the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC), under the aegis of the Department of Enterprise, Trade, & Employment (DETE), has responsibility for ensuring that the market is functioning correctly and that consumers are not being unfairly disadvantaged.
Energy Policy
Questions (118)
Darren O'Rourke
Question:118. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the gas storage capacity that Ireland currently has; the attempts, if any, that he has undertaken to arrange for gas storage in another country for the State’s use in the event of a gas shortage; if he will provide a list of such countries and the dates on which engagements took place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40799/22]
View answerWritten answers
Ireland has been engaging with other Member States on energy security through the formal EU bodies including the European Energy Council, the Gas Coordination Group and the Electricity Coordination Group. The Commission has recently established the North West Europe Regional Taskforce which Ireland also participates in. The remit of these meetings is wider than gas storage and covers both gas and electricity security of supply.
Ireland imports around three quarters of its natural gas from the UK with the remainder from the Corrib field. The UK has a diverse supply of gas including indigenous UK gas, Norwegian gas, Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) terminals in the UK, gas storage and via interconnectors with Belgium and the Netherlands. Ireland current does not have any gas storage or LNG facilities in our jurisdiction.
As set out in the National Energy Security Framework published in April 2022, my Department is carrying out a review of the energy security of Ireland's gas and electricity systems. The review includes identification and examination of the key risks to the security of supply in the electricity and natural gas systems; identification of potential options including the need for additional capacity to import energy, energy storage, fuel diversification and renewable gases (such as hydrogen) that could address or mitigate these risks in the period to 2030; and appraisal of these options in the context of ensuring a sustainable pathway to 2050.
The completion of the review is scheduled for delivery in Q3 of this year, following which the results will be brought to Government for its consideration, including consideration of gas storage.
Energy Policy
Questions (119)
Darren O'Rourke
Question:119. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will detail all engagements and discussions that he has held in relation to Ireland’s participation in an Important Project of Common European Interest (IPCEI), Hy2Tech; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40801/22]
View answerWritten answers
The Government has committed to prioritising the development of a hydrogen strategy in the national energy security framework. This framework was developed to address the challenges of ensuring the ongoing and long-term security of affordable energy supply. As an essential part of the work of preparing the hydrogen strategy, I recently launched a consultation seeking the views of stakeholders and interested parties to inform the development of the strategy. A comprehensive consultation paper has been developed setting out various areas of interest to be considered in the development of the hydrogen strategy and inviting stakeholders' views on an extensive range of specific questions to be answered in this regard. It is anticipated that the submissions received will be extensive, given the high degree of public interest in this topic and its importance both for Ireland's future energy security and its high export potential.
I, as Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications, have no function in regard to matters concerning State Aid measures towards research and innovation and industrial development, which are matters falling within the competence of the Minister for Enterprise, Trade & Employment. Neither I, nor my Department, have had any involvement with the EU IPCEI Hy2Tech initiative.
Electricity Generation
Questions (120)
Darren O'Rourke
Question:120. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the amount of coal that was burned at Moneypoint power station in the first six months of 2021 and the first six months of 2022; the estimated percentage of the increased use of coal for electricity generation in 2022 will have on Ireland’s carbon emissions in 2022, compared to the original 2022 carbon emissions estimates; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40803/22]
View answerWritten answers
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has just recently published Ireland’s Provisional Greenhouse Gas Emissions to the end of 2021 which can be accessed on their website www.epa.ie. The report states that emissions from electricity generation in 2021 were 9.4% higher than the pre-pandemic 2019 year, due to increased use of coal and oil for electricity generation, with higher than normal unavailability of gas-fired generation and 2021 being a less windy year than 2020, with a consequent reduction in renewable electricity generation.
The SEAI publish a monthly report on electricity generation in Ireland and report that for the period January to May 2022, 1,107 GWh of electricity was produced from coal. Electricity generation from coal for the same period in 2021 totalled 1,000 GWh. The EPA have not produced emissions data for 2022 yet.
Waste Management
Questions (121)
Sorca Clarke
Question:121. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the engagement that he has had with Longford County Council regarding the urgent and necessary remedial works to be carried out on potentially contaminated lands and landfill sites. [40878/22]
View answerWritten answers
Under the Waste Management Act, 1996 (amended) a statutory obligation is placed on local authorities to identify and risk-assess sites at which waste disposal activities were historically carried out in their respective areas and which may now present an environmental threat. A list of these sites was attached to the Regional Waste Management Plans 2015-2021 and is available on my Departments website at: www.gov.ie/en/publication/fde64-regional-waste-management-plans.
The roadmap for the landfill remediation programme is set out in the Regional Waste Management Plan 2015-2021 which will be updated in the new National Waste Management Plan for a Circular Economy in 2022, to be published later this year.
Funding allocations under the programme are managed through a National Landfill Remediation Steering Group comprised of representatives from the Local Authorities and chaired by my Department. Funding applications for projects are submitted through this process which provided €55,000 to Longford County Council in 2022 for works on 3 landfill sites.
Departmental Properties
Questions (122)
Sorca Clarke
Question:122. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the actions and engagements that his Department has taken to date to reduce carbon emissions and increase energy efficiency in all buildings under his Department. [40910/22]
View answerWritten answers
My Department participates in the Monitoring and Reporting (M&R) System, which was established by the SEAI to enable public bodies to track their energy efficiency performance and facilitates them in their energy management. By the end of 2020 it had achieved a cumulative 49% energy improvement since the 2006-2008 baseline period. My Department is now focused on the new target to deliver an energy efficiency improvement of 50% by 2030.
Special measures being taken by my Department at this time include the following:
Daily monitoring of the building heating systems to take account of staff attendance
A reduction in the time schedules/thermostat temperature on the building heating controls.
Encouraging staff where possible to walk, cycle or use public transport to get to the Department’s offices and in conducting official business.
As well as the above my Department actively participates in:- the OPW Optimising Power @ Work (OP@W) initiative with ongoing engagement by staff with the OPW appointed energy consultant to monitor gas and electricity use.- the SEAI Monitoring and Reporting programme for the period 2021-2030.The 2021 energy returns for the Department have been submitted to the SEAI database and the final outcome will be published later this year.
The Department recently finalised its 2022 Resource Efficiency Action Plan (REAP) which will report on energy, water and waste usage in the Department for 2021 and identify actions that can be taken to reduce usage for the following years.
My Department has an established Green Team to drive energy efficiency and staff awareness in our buildings including the hosting of energy awareness days and the displaying of efficiency notices throughout the buildings.
A Consultative Group to facilitate staff input to the Department's new HQ was established to ensure ideas on energy and resource efficiency were considered by the OPW architects and build team. This project which is underway at present involves the deep retrofit refurbishment of a state owned building which was constructed in the 1970's which when completed will see the building with a BER of A2 which is an exemplar rating for a building that age.
Broadband Infrastructure
Questions (123)
John McGuinness
Question:123. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he has given consideration to implementing a programme similar to the shared rural network as was recently rolled-out in the UK, to address mobile coverage black spots; if he will consider the State taking a portion of the funds from the next spectrum auction to support the deployment of a shared rural network, as is the case in other jurisdictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40949/22]
View answerWritten answers
Ireland’s Digital Connectivity strategy aligns with European Union priorities, under the Digital Decade 2030, to improve connectivity for all. The Digital Connectivity strategy was subject to a public consultation earlier this year requesting views from all stakeholders on how best to realise this ambition. All submissions received through this process are currently being considered and an updated strategy is expected to be published in the coming months.
Mobile coverage obligations are set out in licences granted by the independent regulator, ComReg, to mobile operators who advises that the current minimum coverage obligations are being exceeded by all operators. Capital investment by telecommunications operators over the last 5 years came to €3.3 billion for both fixed and mobile services enhancing the availability of services, both voice and data, throughout Ireland, including in rural areas.
ComReg is currently in the process of running another Multi-band Spectrum Award to assign rights of use in four spectrum bands. The award comprises 470 MHz of spectrum and represents a 46% increase in the harmonised spectrum assigned for the provision of wireless broadband services in Ireland. This will enable the market to provide improved services to meet increasing consumer demand for mobile data and new services. The proposals include significant coverage obligations for prospective winning bidders.
To assist consumers, ComReg has developed a national outdoor coverage map (available here: coveragemap.comreg.ie/map) to provide consumers with clear information on where operators have good 2G, 3G and 4G coverage.
The Shared Rural Network programme sees the UK Government working in partnership with four UK mobile network operators to improve digital infrastructure and increase connectivity.
In Ireland, the Mobile Phone and Broadband Taskforce has been a driving force since 2016 for improving access to telecommunications services nationwide with over 70 targeted actions completed to alleviate connectivity barriers. It tackles issues impeding the rollout of mobile and fixed connectivity. It is co-managed by my Department and the Department of Rural and Community Development.
Energy Conservation
Questions (124, 125)
Richard Bruton
Question:124. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of contractors who are now participating in the one-stop-shop for the roll-out of retrofitting; the estimated aggregate capacity in terms of homes done per month that they can deliver; and his plans to recruit more to the scheme. [40996/22]
View answerRichard Bruton
Question:125. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if the contractors under the one-stop-shop arrangement will confine themselves to deep retrofits to achieve the target BER rating; and if not, if they will also deliver service to those doing shallow retrofits. [40997/22]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 124 and 125 together.
The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) has a number of schemes in place to support homeowners to upgrade their properties including: the Better Energy Homes Scheme; Warmer Homes Scheme; the Community Energy Grant Scheme, the One Stop Shop Development Scheme and the Solar PV Scheme. Since 2000, these schemes have supported over 465,000 homeowners to upgrade their homes to some extent, representing nearly one home in four across the country.
However, the vast majority of these upgrades were limited “shallow” upgrades, typically comprising just one or two measures that are insufficient to bring homes to B2 level. Research and engagement with stakeholders has identified a range of key challenges and barriers specifically related to achieving sufficient homeowner demand for deeper retrofits. These align with the barriers seen in other jurisdictions and include: affordability; lack of awareness and familiarity; perceived hassle and complexity; and, supply chain issues.
In February this year, Government approved the establishment of the National Home Energy Upgrade Scheme which aims to address these challenges through the introduction of a new, highly customer centric, way to undertake home upgrades. SEAI registered One-Stop-Shops will provide an end-to-end service for homeowners. This includes surveying; designing the upgrades; managing the grant process; helping with access to finance; engaging contractors; and quality assurance.
The Scheme offers unprecedented grant levels, increased from circa 30% to 50% of the cost of a typical B2 home energy upgrade with a heat pump.
In addition, and as part of the new measures announced by Government in February, many of the new increased grant rates are also available under the Better Energy Homes Scheme which allows homeowners to take a step-by-step approach or self-manage their project and the Community Energy Grant Scheme wishing to undertake their energy upgrades as part of a community project.
Following Government approval, the SEAI registration portal opened for companies to apply to be a One-Stop-Shop (OSS), building on the preparatory work already undertaken. SEAI are focused on engaging organisations capable of professionally managing all aspects of the OSS service. Therefore, the registration process, for this new service, must be robust.
As part of the registration process, applicant organisations are required to submit a strategic plan to SEAI. These plans will include a minimum 2 year forward focused plan setting out their approach to home energy upgrades and describe its development and growth plans under the new Scheme as well as annual targets for upgrading homes and how each will be achieved, measured and delivered upon. Under the Scheme, the OSSs will enter into contracts with homeowners which will provide that the OSS are required to complete all home energy upgrade associated with a property within 12 months of date of the grant offer.
The SEAI advise that ten OSSs have now been registered, and contact details are available on the SEAI website. SEAI is actively working with other applicant organisations to support them through this registration process and it is anticipated that 20 One Stop Shops will be registered by the end of 2022.
Question No. 125 answered with Question No. 124.
Question No. 126 answered with Question No. 114.
Question No. 127 answered with Question No. 66.
Question No. 128 answered with Question No. 66.