Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 6 July 2023
173. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to provide on update on the Programme for Government commitment to ensure that older people who are at greater risk of fuel poverty and the respiratory illnesses associated with air pollution be prioritised in climate action and climate-mitigation plans; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33322/23]
View answerEnergy efficiency and clean energy upgrades are crucial to addressing the root causes of energy poverty, and may also prove effective interventions to improve cold-related and air quality health impacts. Creating indoor living environments with healthy air temperatures, humidity levels, noise levels, and improved air quality can support good physical and mental health. The Climate Action Plan and National Retrofit Plan set ambitious targets to retrofit the equivalent of 500,000 homes to a Building Energy Rating of B2 and to install 400,000 heat pumps in existing buildings by the end of 2030.
Last year, 4,438 free upgrades were provided to homes at risk of energy poverty through SEAI's warmer homes and warmth and well-being schemes. The Warmth and Well-being Pilot Scheme, an SEAI-administered home improvement scheme targeting people living with chronic respiratory conditions which closed in February 2022, saw 1,300 homes upgraded. Any eligible applications for the scheme received on or after 28 February 2022 were transferred to the Warmer Homes Scheme. The Warmer Homes scheme provides free energy upgrades for homeowners in receipt of certain social welfare payments, including Disability and Carer's Allowances.
Budget 2023 increased the total allocation of the SEAI by 36% up to €480 million. This is the highest ever budget to support the achievement of our retrofit and energy efficiency targets. Of this, over 70% (€337 million) has been allocated for SEAI residential and community energy upgrade schemes, including the Solar PV Scheme, to further support the delivery of the National Retrofit Plan. In the first quarter of 2023, 9,946 government-supported energy upgrades were completed, including 946 fully-funded upgrades for energy-poor homes (up 27% on Q1 of 2022).
Through the implementation of the actions set out in the Climate Action Plan, National Retrofit Plan and the Energy Poverty Action Plan, Government will continue, improve and expand the accessibility and affordability of retrofitting for the medically vulnerable and those in energy poverty.
