Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 13 June 2023
212. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of smart heating controls grants awarded in 2022 and Q1 2023; the geographic spread, per local authority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27840/23]
View answer213. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the funding allocated for smart heating controls grants in 2022; and how much of this was drawn down in 2022. [27841/23]
View answer214. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the funding allocated for smart heating controls grants in 2023; and how much of this has been drawn down to date in 2023. [27842/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 212 to 214, inclusive, together.
The installation of heating controls is one of the energy efficiency measures supported under the SEAI administered grant schemes. Heating controls are an excellent way to control a household's energy usage and improve comfort. A grant of €700 is available towards the cost of installing heating controls. This is available under all of the part-funded residential retrofit schemes. Heating controls can also be installed as part of a wider retrofit under the fully funded Warmer Homes scheme.
Figures in relation to the total number and geographic spread of heating controls installed are not routinely supplied by the SEAI to my Department. The majority of grants for heating controls are paid out under the Better Energy Homes scheme which provides individual grants for a range of measures, allowing homeowners to take a step-by-step approach to their retrofit.
There is no ring-fenced budget allocation for heating control measures. Budget 2023 has allocated approximately €360 million in total for residential and community retrofit schemes, including a capital allocation for the Better Energy Homes scheme of €48.5 million.
Under the Better Energy Homes scheme in 2022, 1,602 grants for heating controls were paid out at a cost of €1.15m. To end April 2023, 428 grants for heating controls were paid out at a cost of just under €300k.
However, heating controls are also installed where heat pumps are installed, and as part of more extensive upgrade projects under the One Stop Shop, Community Energy Grant and Warmer Homes schemes. These are not included in the above figures.
