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Departmental Schemes

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 May 2022

Tuesday, 24 May 2022

Ceisteanna (103)

Thomas Gould

Ceist:

103. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if his attention has been drawn to the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland not funding insulation wrap schemes for stone-build houses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26015/22]

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Freagraí scríofa

The Climate Action Plan and the National Retrofit Plan identify the important contribution the retrofit of buildings needs to make in delivering on our national and international climate goals. My Department funds a number of grant schemes to support homeowners to improve the energy efficiency of their properties. These schemes are administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI).

Grants for protected stone-build structures are available in certain circumstances subject to the scheme eligibility criteria and terms and conditions being met. Detailed information on the grants and eligibility criteria is available at www.seai.ie.

Older stone-build buildings (generally those built up until around the 1940s) usually fall into the category of traditionally built buildings.  Such stone-built structures were designed to be vapour permeable. It is important that the materials and techniques used in energy efficiency upgrades of such buildings are suitable for the buildings in question including for use with vapor permeable construction where applicable. For example, a stone wall with lime-based mortar will need a lime-based plaster render to remain vapour permeable.  Otherwise vapour becomes trapped leading to problems which can cause harm to the building and its occupants. 

SEAI support the insulation of buildings using materials and products which are appropriate and have been determined fit for use in the Irish climate by National Standards Authority of Ireland (NSAI). SEAI has no role in the certification of products used in Ireland but is aware that very old homes which are constructed using stone and lime-based mortar are more complicated to insulate for the reasons outlined above.   

To support the proper upgrade of traditional buildings a new technical Guidance Document - “Energy Efficiency in Traditional Buildings” is being developed led by the Department of Housing Local Government and Heritage. My Department and the SEAI are participating in the steering group overseeing the project.  The objective is to finalise the guidance having regard to submissions received in the pubic consultation with a view to publishing it this year.  Once available this guidance will be an important resource to support contractors in the appropriate energy efficiency upgrade and renovation of older stone-build buildings while ensuring compliance with the appropriate building regulations.

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