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Building Energy Rating Compliance

Dáil Éireann Debate, Friday - 6 September 2019

Friday, 6 September 2019

Ceisteanna (1468, 1504)

Danny Healy-Rae

Ceist:

1468. Deputy Danny Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the way in which the target of 50,000 retrofitted houses per year will be met in view of the fact that funding has run out for the deep retrofit pilot programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35460/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Declan Breathnach

Ceist:

1504. Deputy Declan Breathnach asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the way in which he plans to achieve the goals as set out in the Climate Action Plan 2019 particularly in relation to the stated aim of upgrading half a million homes to B2 BER in view of the lack of funding of the SEAI for the full deep retrofit scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35532/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1468 and 1504 together.

The Deep Retrofit Pilot Scheme is a time bound pilot which aims to investigate the challenges and opportunities of deep retrofit in Ireland. Having been initiated in 2017, the pilot predates the Climate Action Plan. The scheme was intended to run for three years and, as such, closed for applications on 19 July, which was in line with the published scheme Application Guidelines. However, grants will continue to be paid as approved projects are completed this year and next.

The Government's programme of mainstream and pilot grant schemes for retrofit is funded by my Department and operated by the SEAI. Since 2000, over 400,000 homes have received direct support under these schemes to improve their energy efficiency. This year, demand has been extremely high for these schemes, including the Deep Retrofit Pilot. The total budget allocation for SEAI retrofit grants in 2019 is €100 million.

The Climate Action Plan commits to reviewing and redesigning these grant schemes to ensure alignment with Government climate objectives and value for money. The plan also sets an ambitious target of 500,000 energy efficiency retrofits by 2030. Achievement of this target will be supported by the Project Ireland 2040 allocation of €3.7 billion as well as the range of measures identified in the plan.

I recently announced the establishment of a taskforce that will drive the achievement of this target. The taskforce will primarily be responsible for the development of a new retrofitting delivery model, which will, inter alia, group retrofits together to achieve economies of scale, ensure supports for households with lower incomes, and leverage private finance in addition to grant support.

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