Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 17 January 2024
96. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if there are retrofitting grants that are specific to apartment complexes; if not, his plans to put such specific schemes in place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57137/23]
View answer97. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if it is possible for apartment owner management companies to access individual energy upgrade grants for an entire apartment complex; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57138/23]
View answer98. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if his attention has been drawn to reports that many, possibly most, one-stop-shop operators will not quote or engage with apartment owner management companies; if he will consider putting in place specific one stop-shop services for apartment complexes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57139/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 96, 97 and 98 together.
My 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.
In February 2022, Government approved a package of supports as part of the delivery of Ireland’s National Retrofit Plan. These measures are 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.
Homes, both houses and apartments built and occupied pre-2011 (pre-2021 for Solar PV scheme and Heat Pump grants) and owned by private homeowners, non-corporate landlords and Approved Housing Bodies are eligible to apply for grant support under the various residential and community energy efficiency schemes.
The National Home Energy Upgrade Scheme is available for homeowners wishing to avail of the complete home energy upgrade service provided through the one stop shops; the Community Energy Grant is available for homeowners seeking to carry out their deep retrofit as part of a community project; and the Better Energy Homes Scheme facilitates homeowners wishing to undertake a deep retrofit through a step-by-step approach and apply to SEAI for grant support on a phased basis. The range of schemes available allows homeowners to choose the best home upgrade option to suit their particular needs.
It is also worth noting that a key feature of the National Home Energy Upgrade Scheme (one stop shop service) and the Community Energy Grant Scheme is the bringing together of groups of properties for aggregated projects thereby creating efficiencies in delivery and developing new innovation in processes and technologies.
More broadly, officials of my Department, along with SEAI and the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage are collaborating with the Housing Agency on a research project, supported under the 2023 cycle of the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Structural Reform Support Technical Support Instrument (TSI). The objectives of the project is to establish models and frameworks to advance methods of whole-of-building retrofitting in apartment building in Ireland. The project is expected to be completed by the end of 2024.
