Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 16 October 2019
46. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if persons who had works carried out under the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland, SEAI, better energy warmer homes scheme that was deemed incomplete will be eligible to reapply under the scheme to get those works completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42300/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraHouseholders at risk of fuel poverty must be prioritised in any grant scheme coming through from the SEAI because they are the most vulnerable. Previous schemes delivered for some householders but unless the contractor providing the scheme offered the full range of services, including dry lining and insulating cavities, houses have part of the work done but it is not complete. Can these householders now come back and have an opportunity to achieve the B2 target set out for everybody else in the better energy homes scheme?
The better energy homes scheme is funded by the Department and administered by the SEAI. The scheme delivers a range of energy efficiency measures free of charge to low-income households vulnerable to energy poverty. In budget 2020, the funding for the warmer homes scheme was increased to €52.8 million for 2020, which represents a record level of funding for the scheme and almost double what was provided in the 2019 Estimates. The aim of the scheme is to deliver a range of energy efficiency measures in a way that represents the best possible use of Exchequer funding. The rules of the scheme stipulate that repeat upgrade visits are not provided. This rule is in place to ensure the available Exchequer funding provides upgrades to as many eligible homes as possible and to prioritise eligible homes that have never had any work done under the scheme.
In 2018, the measures available under the scheme were expanded. Previously, households whose homes were not suitable for cavity wall insulation could not get their walls insulated under the scheme. Since the expansion of measures, the scheme can now, in certain circumstances, provide internal or external wall insulation. This is permitting the upgrade of a wider range of property types, such as homes with solid walls, and also increases the energy savings and emissions reductions that the scheme can achieve. In addition, it will enable future fuel switching. While this change creates a demand for homes already treated to come in again, it also has to be borne in mind that more than 140,000 homes have benefited in the past and this number could squeeze the opportunity for those who have never been included.
The climate action plan commits to a review of the scheme being completed by the end of this year. This will include a decision on repeat upgrade visits as well as reviewing eligibility, approaches to compliance with new building regulations and how to best target those most in need.
The households that were part of the scheme at the beginning consisted of the more vulnerable householders who had the fuel allowance back as far as 2000 or 2005 in the boom time. If those houses had their attics insulated and possibly had the extension cavity pumped, it still meant that the original cottage or house was exposed and not insulated. It is very important those householders have the opportunity to have that part of their house insulated so that the overall building is brought up to standard. The Minister of State is setting a target of B2 for everybody going forward. Many of the householders who were part of the scheme early on would not have achieved that rating. Does the Minister of State recognise this and will he set out to bring those other houses up to that standard?
I repeat that the scheme has been very successful and there has been a significant uptake over the years by those in fuel poverty. The Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action committed to a review of the scheme, which is being undertaken. We are looking at repeat upgrade visits as well as reviewing eligibility and approaches to compliance with the new building regulations and how best to target those. That review will take some of the issues raised by the Deputy into account.
