Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 18 October 2016
608. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if his Department has considered the possibility of introducing a boiler scrappage scheme similar to that in the North; if such a scheme has merit in terms of energy efficiency and environmental benefit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30380/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) administers a range of energy efficiency schemes on behalf of my Department that help householders to improve the energy efficiency of their home including a grant of €700 towards the upgrading of an oil or gas boiler if accompanied by the installation of heating controls, necessary to maximise boiler efficiency.
Energy efficiency is consistently recognised as the most cost effective method of addressing climate change. The International Energy Agency (IEA) considers it to be the “first fuel” as the cheapest unit of energy is the one that is not used. Within energy efficiency policy, proper insulation is still the most cost-effective way of reducing the need for heat thereby improving the energy efficiency of, and decreasing emissions from, the built environment. The average home in Ireland has an energy performance equivalent to a D on the Building Energy Rating (BER) scale, demonstrating that there is still considerable scope to improve the fabric of our homes.
I am confident that the current suite of energy efficiency measures, including grants towards the cost of attic insulation, wall insulation, heating systems upgrades, solar thermal panels and accompanying Better Energy Rating (BER) assessment, reflects an appropriate balance of measures and I have secured increased funding for energy efficiency programmes in Budget 2017. With the resources now available, I anticipate that up to 30,000 more homes will receive energy efficiency upgrades in 2017, supporting some 3,000 jobs in the sector.
