Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 7 November 2023
169. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if there have been any changes in the administration of SEAI grants for retrofitting as part of the warmer homes scheme as part of Budget 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48345/23]
View answer170. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if there have been any changes in the administration of SEAI grants for retrofitting as part of the better energy homes scheme as part of Budget 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48346/23]
View answer171. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if there have been any changes in the administration of SEAI grants for retrofitting as part of the one stop shop scheme as part of Budget 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48347/23]
View answer172. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if there have been any changes in the administration of SEAI grants for retrofitting as part of the community energy grants scheme as part of Budget 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48348/23]
View answer174. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if there have been any changes in the administration of SEAI grants for retrofitting across the various schemes as part of Budget 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48350/23]
View answer175. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if there have been any changes in the administration of SEAI grants following the introduction of low-cost loans for retrofitting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48351/23]
View answerMy Department funds a range of grant schemes, administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) to support homeowners to improve the energy efficiency of their properties. The Better Energy Homes Scheme allows homeowners to take a step-by-step approach or self-manage the project, while the National Home Energy Upgrade Scheme and the Community Energy Grant Scheme are aimed towards homeowners wishing to undertake a whole home energy upgrade to achieve a BER of at least B2. SEAI also provide fully funded energy efficiency retrofits for people at risk of energy poverty. This allows homeowners to choose the best home upgrade option to suit their particular needs.
SEAI has developed a suite of guidance documents to enable applicants to understand how each grant scheme operates and which set out the terms and conditions that apply. The scheme guidelines are updated as required to reflect the changing environment and ensure the programmes continue to target and best support our homes and communities. To this end, my officials engage with their counterparts in the SEAI on an ongoing basis in relation to the operation of the schemes and as part of this will continue to ensure that grant schemes terms and conditions, eligibility criteria and rates are kept under review taking account of demand, research, innovation, evolving technology and other relevant factors.
One recent example was the launch of a new online application service for the Warmer Homes Scheme in partnership with the Department of Social Protection (DSP). This new service brings additional enhancements to the programme by offering the online option to confirm eligibility via the DSP. This service is available at the following link: onlinewhs.powerappsportals.com/
Budget 2024 provided a record funding allocation of €380 million across all SEAI residential and community energy upgrade schemes, including the Solar PV Scheme — this is a €24 million increase on last year and means that more funding than ever will be available to make homes warmer, healthier, more comfortable and less expensive to heat. This will be supplemented by additional funding from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) so that those most at risk of energy poverty can continue to avail of fully funded energy upgrades under the Warmer Homes Scheme.
In recent weeks, the Government and the European Investment Bank (EIB) Group reached an agreement that paves the way for government backed, low-interest home energy upgrade loans. The €500 million scheme is the first of its kind for both Ireland and the EIB Group. Homeowners will be able to borrow from €5,000 to €75,000 on an unsecured basis for a term of up to 10 years. The interest rates will be significantly lower than those currently available in the market as a result of the combination of the EIB Group loan guarantee and a government-funded interest rate subsidy. The loan scheme has been designed to complement the existing SEAI schemes. The loans will be available to homeowners through participating lenders in early 2024.
