Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 17 November 2020
187. Deputy Francis Noel Duffy asked the Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications if the income limit will be increased to allow for more home energy efficiency upgrades in low-income households using carbon tax revenues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37089/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland operates a number of schemes which support low-income households to upgrade the energy efficiency of their homes:
- The Warmer Homes Scheme delivers a range of energy efficiency measures free of charge to low-income households vulnerable to energy poverty.
- The Warmth and Wellbeing Pilot Scheme aims to improve the living conditions of vulnerable people living in energy poverty with chronic respiratory conditions and measure the impact. Energy efficiency upgrades are provided free of charge for eligible homeowners in the pilot areas of Dublin 8, 10, 12, 22 and 24.
- The Community Energy Scheme funds community-based partnerships to improve the energy efficiency of the building stock in their area and is available to homeowners, Housing Associations and Local Authorities. Grants of up to 80% are available for low income homeowners as part of wider community projects.
Applicants to these schemes must be in receipt of certain Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection (DEASP) payments. There are currently no plans to change from this eligibility requirement.
Budget 2021 provided €221.5 million in capital funding for SEAI residential and community retrofit schemes next year. This represents an additional €100 million on the 2020 allocation with the increase funded through carbon tax revenues. Of this allocation, €109 million is provided to support lower income households to retrofit their homes. This is a €47 million increase on the 2020 allocation for energy poverty schemes and will allow for more home energy efficiency upgrades in low-income households. Further information on SEAI grant schemes is available at: https://www.seai.ie/.
In addition to the above, Budget 2021 also allocated €65 million to the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage to support the retrofitting of local authority homes.
