Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 22 November 2023
35. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of homes at each pre-works BER ratings that achieved a B2 cost-optimum standard in each of the years 2021, 2022 and to date in 2023, in tabular form. [51343/23]
View answerThe National Retrofit Plan sets out the Government's approach to achieving the Climate Action Plan targets of upgrading the equivalent of 500,000 homes to a BER of B2/cost-optimal level and installing 400,000 heat pumps to replace older, less efficient heating systems by 2030. To support the achievement of these targets, last year the Government launched a package of enhanced supports to make it easier and more affordable for homeowners to undertake energy upgrades.
As set out below, since the introduction of the new measures, demand across the relevant SEAI schemes has been exceptionally high:
• 2021: 17,546 property energy efficiency upgrades, of which 4,345 achieved a post works BER of B2 or better.
• 2022: 27,199 property energy efficiency upgrades, of which 8,481 achieved a post works BER of B2 or better.
• Year to end October 2023: 38,826 property energy efficiency upgrades, of which 14,081 achieved a post works BER of B2 or better.
With regard to the specific data sought by the Deputy, it is important to note that a pre work BER assessment is not a requirement across all of the SEAI residential and community energy upgrade schemes:
• Pre-BER Assessment required: National Home Energy Upgrade Scheme (OSS Scheme); Community Energy Grant Scheme; and Better Energy Warmer Homes Scheme (introduced as a requirement in February 2022).
• Pre-BER Assessment not required: Better Energy Homes Scheme; Solar PV Scheme.
All energy upgrade works, regardless of SEAI Scheme, require a post-work BER assessment.
A detailed overview of the SEAI 2023 performance can be found in the SEAI Quarterly Progress Report for Quarter 3, 2023, on its website at: www.seai.ie/publications/SEAI-Retrofit-Quarterly-Report-Q3-2023.pdf. The Report shows that, to date this year, under the National Home Energy Upgrade Scheme, the average pre-work BER was E1 for private homes and C3 for Approved Housing Body homes.
I have asked the SEAI to provide the specific data requested directly to the Deputy, in so far as it is available, as soon as possible.
