Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 7 November 2024
221. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of heat pumps that were installed as part of the local authority retrofitting scheme in 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and to date in 2024, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45630/24]
View answer222. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of retrofits completed as part of the local authority retrofitting scheme; the pre and post-BER post retrofit; the average cost to retrofit, in 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and to date, in 2024 in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45632/24]
View answer223. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of solar PVs installed part of the local authority retrofitting scheme; the pre and post-BER; the average cost, broken down by kWh installed in 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and to date in 2024, to date in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45634/24]
View answerIn 2021 a new holistic approach was applied to the Local Authority Energy Efficiency Retrofit Programme (EERP), designed around the Programme for Government's commitment led by the Department for the Environment, Climate and Communications that calls for the 'retrofit' of 500,000 homes to a B2/Cost Optimal Equivalent (BER) standard by 2030, of which, approximately 36,500 are expected to be local authority owned homes, with grant funding provided by my Department for those local authority housing retrofits.
Works eligible under my Department's revised EERP include attic/cavity wall insulation or external wall insulation where required, windows and doors replacement, heat pump installation and ancillary and associated works. The funded measures achieve the B2 or cost optimal equivalent level. In certain circumstances, my Department supports the installation of 1kWp solar PV for small social housing with a floor area less than 55 m2, with a maximum HLI of 2.6 on a pilot basis. In such cases local authorities are required to cooperate with SEAI as part of research monitoring the performance of heat pumps in these dwellings.
An annualised breakdown of the units retrofitted under both the Energy Efficiency Retrofit Programme and Midlands Retrofit Programme, is available on my Department's website at the following link:
www.gov.ie/en/publication/668c1-energy-efficiency-retrofitting-programme-expenditure-output/
www.gov.ie/en/publication/b86b3-midlands-energy-retrofit-programme-expenditure-and-units/
The breakdown of retrofits and heat pumps installed is outlined in the table below:
|
Year |
Dwellings Retrofit |
Heat Pumps Installed |
|
2021 |
1038 |
750 (72%) |
|
2022 |
2283 |
1898 (83%) |
|
2023 |
2445 |
2215 (91%) |
Since the inception of the scheme in 2021, funding has been provided for the installation of 41 PVs. However this figure does not include PVs installed from a local authority’s own resources.
In 2024, my Department announced that funding of €90 million is available under the Energy Efficient Retrofit Programme for the retrofit of approximately 2,500 social homes.
Under the 2024 EERP programme, my Department funds costs of up to €48,850 plus project management fees, on individual local authority homes. The actual cost of retrofitting works on each home will depend on its pre-works BER. Targets set and funding allocated to local authorities under the new programme calls for local authorities to undertake a variety of house types, from those requiring minimal investment to those requiring major investment, in order to achieve the B2/Cost Optimal BER. Local authorities are asked to ensure that the average cost per home drawn down under the programme is circa €36,500, including project management fees. Adhering to this average will ensure that the maximum number of homes can be retrofitted with the available budget. For 2023, the average cost per property was circa €31,500.
Work in relation to the 2024 programme is ongoing and current indicators show that the original target of 2,500 retrofits is expected to be completed this year. Full details in relation to delivery under the 2024 Energy Efficiency Programme will be available early in 2025.
Separately details in relation to the BER rating should be available directly upon request from the local authorities themselves.
