Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 10 May 2022
178. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if there are proposals to increase the SEAI grants for solar hot water heating panels (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22700/22]
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 or carbon equivalent and the installation of 400,000 heat pumps in existing homes to replace older, less efficient heating systems by end-2030. This represents approximately 30% of the housing stock and is among the most ambitious retrofit programmes worldwide. In line with commitments in the National Retrofit Plan, the Government recently announced 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 and lower emissions. Included in these measures was the establishment of the new National Home Energy Upgrade Scheme, offering increased grant levels of up to 50% of the cost of a typical B2 home energy upgrade with heat pump. All households built and occupied before 2021 are eligible to apply for a grant of up to €1,200 to install a solar thermal system.
The grant rates were set following a comprehensive evaluation and consultative process led by SEAI and the Department, including leveraging learning and experience in SEAI, industry consultation, customer research and analysis of cost data. SEAI will monitor cost data on an ongoing basis to track and monitor changes in the market. The grant rates will be kept under review taking account of: the overarching need to build a much bigger home upgrade sector; evolving science; innovation; evolving technology and other relevant factors.
It is important to note that the grants available through SEAI aim to maximise emissions reductions and deliver energy savings for the widest range of homeowners possible. The grants which are available, and their respective eligibility criteria, were selected as the most likely to deliver significant energy savings to homeowners as well as the best value for money for the Exchequer.
