Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 5 April 2022
341. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of local authority social homes that were subject to retrofitting energy upgrades for each year from 2016 to date, in tabular form; the amount of funding provided each year for these schemes; if there was an underspend in a particular year; if so, the reason for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17978/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department launched the Energy Efficiency Retrofitting Programme (EERP) in 2013 with the aim of funding the retrofit of social homes requiring insulation and energy upgrade works. Since the programme commenced in 2013 up to the end of 2021 over 75,000 units of social housing stock have been retrofitted with a total exchequer spend of €183 million under the scheme.
Up to 2020, the EERP was carried out in two Phases:
- Phase 1 of the programme provided funding targeted at the less intrusive cavity wall/attic insulation
- Phase 2 focused on fabric upgrade works to those dwellings with solid/hollow block wall construction and included the provision of heating upgrades.
The Phase 1 and Phase 2 approach to retrofitting is now withdrawn with the introduction in 2021 of a 'deeper' retrofit programme designed around the Programme for Government commitment that calls for the 'retrofit' of 500,000 homes to a B2/Cost Optimal Equivalent (BER) standard by 2030, of which, approximately 36,500 are expected to be local authority owned homes.
Works eligible under the revised Programme include attic/cavity wall insulation or external wall insulation where required, windows and doors replacement, heat pump installation and ancillary and associated works.
The Programme has experienced significant delays due to the effects of COVID-19 and other obstacles including tendering and supply chain issues particularly concerning Heat Pumps, Windows &Doors, and Insulation. This has led to an increase in prices for certain local authorities in retrofitting properties. Learning from the 2021 programme will inform the 2022 programme.
In 2022, the EERP will see a significant increase in funding support to €85 million, allowing approximately 2,400 homes nationally to be upgraded to a B2 or cost optimal equivalent (BER). Allocations for 2022 will issue to local authorities shortly.
An annualised breakdown of the units retrofitted under both the Energy Efficiency Retrofit Programme and Midlands Retrofit Programme, is available on my Department's website at the following links:
www.gov.ie/en/publication/668c1-energy-efficiency-retrofitting-programme-expenditure-output/
www.gov.ie/en/publication/b86b3-midlands-energy-retrofit-programme-expenditure-and-units/
