Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 8 May 2019
1220. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the number of homes upgraded as part of all energy efficiency upgrades in each of the past five years; the amount provided to each local authority area in each of the past five years; if he is satisfied that targets in the National Development Plan will be achieved to upgrade up to one million homes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18789/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Better Energy Programme is funded by my Department and operated by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI). The Programme consists of three main schemes: Homes, Warmer Homes and Communities. - Better Energy Homes provides a financial incentive to private homeowners who wish to improve the energy performance of their homes.
- Better Energy Warmer Homes delivers a range of energy efficiency measures free of charge to low income households who meet the defined eligibility criteria and who are vulnerable to energy poverty.
- Better Energy Communities supports energy efficiency upgrades to mixed projects of homes, community facilities and businesses in a local community.
These schemes are supplemented by two pilot schemes exploring the multiple benefits of energy efficiency and the challenges of moving to deeper retrofit.
- The Warmth and Wellbeing Scheme aims to demonstrate the positive effects that making homes warmer and more energy efficient can have on the health and well-being of people in energy poverty who are living with a chronic respiratory condition.
- The Deep Retrofit Pilot Scheme is investigating how to create a scalable offering for the deep retrofit of Ireland’s housing stock to an A3 Building Energy Rating (BER).
The National Development Plan has set a target of 45,000 homes upgraded per annum from 2021. Work is underway to develop the supports and market capacity necessary to deliver this level of retrofit. I am also currently preparing an All of Government Climate Plan that will build on the ambition set out in the NDP, develop new initiatives and set out the actions which must be taken to make Ireland a leader in responding to climate change.
The information requested in relation to the number and value of grants provided from 2014-2018 is set out in the link below.
