Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 10 May 2022
197. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of homes targeted per retrofit scheme; and the number of fossil fuel powered boilers installed per scheme in tabular form. [23029/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) administers a range of grant schemes to support homeowners to improve the energy efficiency of their properties. Grants of up to 50% are now available for individuals who can afford to contribute to the cost of upgrades as well as free energy efficiency retrofits for people at risk of energy poverty. A total of €267 million in capital funding has been provided this year for SEAI residential and community schemes. The target number of homes to be upgraded in 2022 is almost 27,000, which includes over 5,000 homes in the Energy Poverty Schemes. Approximately 8,600 will be upgraded to a Building Energy Rating (BER) of B2 or higher. The SEAI advise that to the end of April, approx. 5,000 homes have been completed under the residential and community energy efficiency schemes, which includes over 1,200 homes in the energy poverty schemes. Approximately, 1,500 have been upgraded to a post works BER of B2 or better.
Only the Better Energy Warmer Homes Scheme and the Warmth and Wellbeing Scheme fund replacement fossil fuel boiler upgrades. The number of fossil fuel powered boilers installed per Scheme is set out in the Table below.
|
Year |
2021 |
2022* |
|
WHS |
574 |
295 |
|
W&W |
92 |
44 |
*to 6th May 2022
In order to move the Warmer Homes scheme away from the installation of fossil fuel boilers, the National Retrofit Plan included a commitment to carry out a pilot to upgrade homes under the scheme to a B2 standard and install heat pumps. This pilot commenced on schedule in Q1 2022 and will gather evidence to inform the appropriate process and approach – to increase the number of B2 upgrades and heat pumps installations delivered under the scheme.
