Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 17 October 2023
110. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the expenditure to date on residential retrofitting grants by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland; if he will give a breakdown of these grants on the basis of the level of grant aid received; the total costs involved (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45174/23]
View answerIn February 2022, Government launched a package of enhanced SEAI supports aimed at making it easier and more affordable for homeowners to undertake home energy upgrades, for warmer, healthier and more comfortable homes, with lower energy bills and emissions.
Since then, demand across the SEAI residential and community energy upgrade schemes has been exceptionally high and the strong performance seen in 2022 has continued into 2023. Figures from the SEAI show that this year, to the end of September, €213 million has been provided to support over 34,000 home energy upgrades, representing a 96% increase on spend and a 111% increase on output on the same period last year. Figures from SEAI show that for the first half of this year:
• Under the Better Energy Warmer Homes Scheme, which delivers a range of energy efficiency measures free of charge to low-income households vulnerable to energy poverty, the average cost of upgrades supported is €24,000;
• Under the Better Energy Homes Scheme, the average cost of works was €6,742 and the average grant paid was €2,904;
• Under the Solar PV the average cost of works was €12,133 and the average grant paid was €2,343;
• Under the National Home Energy Upgrade scheme (One-Stop-Shops), the average costs of works for private homes was €61,041 with an average grant paid of €22,794. The corresponding figures for Approved Housing Body homes are €27,343 and €15,415.
It should be borne in mind, the costs of a retrofit/home energy upgrade 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. Depending on the scheme the retrofit can consist of a single energy efficiency measure, multiple measures or a whole home upgrade to B2 and the costs will vary accordingly.
It should also be noted that under the Better Energy Homes, Solar PV, One Stop Shop and Community Energy Grant schemes, the works costs are based on declarations from the homeowners and contractors. The costs can vary depending on the factors outlined above. Additionally, homeowners may carry out non-grant aided/non energy related works as part of the same upgrade. Therefore, the costs set out above may be in excess of the costs relating to the retrofit works only. The amounts paid out per grant-aided measure by SEAI are fixed irrespective of the costs declared.
A more detailed overview of the SEAI performance against annual targets on the residential and community energy efficiency schemes can be found in their recently published quarterly reports, which can be found on the SEAI website. The latest Progress Report (for Quarter 2, 2023) includes average costs and average grant figures: www.seai.ie/publications/SEAI-Retrofit-Quarterly-Report-Q2-2023.pdf.
SEAI has established a specific email address for queries from Oireachtas members so that such queries can be addressed promptly, in line with SEAI’s objective to deliver services to the highest standards. The email address is oireachtas@seai.ie.
