Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 2 June 2022
137. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the way that he can support the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland with the increased number of queries that it is receiving regarding retrofit schemes. [28416/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraEarlier this year, Government 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. The measures address barriers to undertaking energy upgrades (retrofits) reported by homeowners and those working in the industry. They also reflect the step-change needed – in pace and scale of delivery – to build toward achieving our ambitious target of 500,000 home energy upgrades, to B2 Building Energy Rating (BER) standard, in this decade. The changes represent an important step in delivery of the National Retrofit Plan, which identifies a range of measures aimed at driving demand for retrofit, expanding the size and capacity of the supply chain, as well as making retrofits more affordable.
Following the announcements, demand for the SEAI residential energy efficiency schemes has been very strong. The SEAI advise that to the end of April over 13,500 applications have been received across a range of its residential schemes including Better Energy Homes Scheme; Warmer Homes Scheme; Solar PV scheme; and National Home Energy Upgrade Scheme. This represents approximately 65% of all applications received throughout 2021.
The SEAI has been designated as the National Retrofit Delivery Body. In this role, the SEAI will act as the lead agency in driving the delivery of Ireland’s retrofit targets.
While a cohort of staff within SEAI are involved in a range of administrative functions that support schemes, the agency is also assisted by a service provider that provides the front-end customer service.
Significant additional funding is being provided by the Government to continue to increase the capacity of the Agency. The process of developing, restructuring and recruiting the necessary expertise commenced in 2021 and will continue in parallel with the delivery of the National Retrofit Plan.
SEAI are enhancing their staffing levels this year consistent with the scaling up of capacity to support the significant policy developments announced earlier this year under the National Retrofit Plan. Up to 50 additional staff are to be employed by the agency by the end of the year bring staff levels close to 190.
