Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 15 February 2022
221. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the way that homeowners that are participants in the defective concrete blocks scheme can avail of the home energy upgrade scheme; the way that the scheme will be rolled out to them in view of the level of work already going to be carried out on their homes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8070/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Programme for Government and Climate Action Plan set ambitious targets to retrofit the equivalent of 500,000 homes to a Building Energy Rating (BER) of B2/cost optimal level and the installation of 400,000 heat pumps in existing homes by end-2030. This represents approximately 30% of the housing stock and is among the most ambitious retrofit programmes worldwide.
Recognising that the achievement of these targets will require a step-change in the pace and scale of delivery Ireland’s residential retrofit programme, the Government has approved a package of supports to make it easier and more affordable for homeowners to undertake home energy upgrades, for warmer, healthier and more comfortable homes, with lower energy bills.
The key measures include:
- A new National Home Energy Upgrade Scheme providing increased grant levels of up to 50% of the cost of a typical deep retrofit to a B2 BER standard (up from 30%-35% grants currently).
- Establishment of a network of registered One Stop Shops to offer a new, start-to-finish project management service, including access to financing, for home energy upgrades.
- Increases in grant levels for certain measures under the Better Energy Home scheme and Community - A special enhanced grant rate, equivalent to 80% of the typical cost, for attic and cavity wall insulation for all households, to urgently reduce energy use as part of the government’s response to current exceptionally high energy prices.
- The year of construction rule will also be amended as follows to bring the scheme into alignment with other relevant SEAI schemes.
|
Current Rule |
New Rule |
|
|
Fabric |
pre 2006 |
pre 2011 |
|
Heat Pumps/Solar Thermal to align with SPV |
pre 2011 |
pre 2021 |
Participants in the defective blocks scheme can also apply for SEAI funding in line with the relevant eligibility criteria for the Schemes. Full details are available from the SEAI on 1850 250 204 or their website at: www.seai.ie/grants/
The defective blocks scheme is the responsibility of my colleague the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage.
