Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 11 July 2023
129. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he is aware of one-stop-shop SEAI energy retrofit providers refusing to undertake initial energy rating assessments for works of less than €30,000 under the guise of being bound to only undertake works that deliver a BER of B2; if this is permitted in law; and if not, the steps he will take to address this matter. [33636/23]
View answerMy 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. SEAI oversight of One Stop Shops (OSSs) is underpinned by robust governance processes to ensure the OSSs are meeting the necessary customer and quality performance indicators. The matter raised by the Deputy has been brought to the attention of SEAI officials.
It is important to note that under the eligibility criteria for the National Home Energy Upgrade Scheme (NHEUS), one-stop-shops are contracted to carry out a full home energy upgrade. The service is available to homeowners whose home has an existing BER of B3 or lower and must achieve a minimum rating of B2 on work completion, with a 100kWh/m2/year or better improvement on the BER primary energy value. Homes that fail to reach this post works uplift will not be eligible for grant payment. This can mean that achieving the NHEUS requirements is a primary driver of participation, as opposed to cost of works.
The cost of a retrofit to bring a property to a post works building Energy Rating of B2 depends on a range of factors including the size and type of home as well as the age and starting condition of the property and the retrofitting works required or recommended. The SEAI advises that of the 936 home upgrades completed by the One Stop Shops under the NHEUS, 743 had costs of less than €30,000.
There are currently 16 OSSs registered, and the SEAI continues to actively engage with the construction sector, with the aim of ensuring that more companies register as One-Stop-Shops. As more OSSs become registered this creates greater competition in the marketplace as well as affording homeowners greater choice. It is always recommended that a homeowner speaks to several OSSs before making their decision, so that they can choose the company that best suits their budget, timeframe and other considerations, including the need for additional building works.
It is also important to note that homeowners wishing to complete individual measures with no set BER requirement post works can avail of individual energy upgrade grants from the SEAI through the Better Energy Homes Scheme. Grant rates under this scheme were increased significantly last year.
The SEAI has established a specific email address for queries from Oireachtas members, and it is open to the Deputy to forward any specifics regarding the matters raised to that address so that they can be examined and addressed promptly, in line with SEAI’s objective to deliver services to the highest standards. The email address is oireachtas@seai.ie.
