Energy Conservation

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 6 October 2022

Thursday, 6 October 2022

Ceisteanna (130)

Bríd Smith

Ceist:

130. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if new rules criteria are being applied for part-funded schemes operated by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland for home-energy efficiency grants, namely that recipients must have a pre-and post-work BER rating, that applicants must pay the full costs of any work up-front prior to the SEAI subsequently dispensing funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49200/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications

The Government has not made any changes to the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) retrofit schemes in terms of how payments are made.  

The Better Energy Homes Scheme operates on the basis of the homeowner paying for the works up front and claiming a grant from the SEAI which is paid to the homeowner when the works are completed. There is no necessity to have a pre-works Building Energy Rating (BER) in advance of the works commencing. A post-works BER is obtained on completion of the works.  

The National Home Energy Upgrade Scheme is a fully managed solution, with One Stop Shops managing the upgrade works, including the grant application, and the grant values are deducted from the cost of works upfront, so the homeowner pays for the works net of the eligible grant. All homes under this Scheme must complete a minimum energy level of energy upgrades following a home energy assessment and achieve a minimum BER rating of B2 on completion of the works, the cost of which is included in the overall cost of works.