Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 18 October 2022
178. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the supports that are available for community facilities looking to replace a boiler (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51271/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Communities Energy Grant Scheme is part of the Government's National Retrofit Programme aimed at upgrading building stock and facilities to high standards of energy efficiency and renewable energy usage, thereby reducing fossil fuel usage, energy costs and greenhouse gas emissions.
The Scheme supports cross-sectoral and community-oriented partnership approaches that deliver energy savings to a range of building types including public, commercial and community buildings with a particular focus on using the projects to deliver home retrofits.
The Scheme provides funding for a range of improvements to existing buildings. These include the installation of insulation, heat pump systems upgrades to replace fossil fuel boilers, replacement windows/doors, solar Photo-Voltaic technology, energy-efficient lighting, and energy monitors, as well as other energy upgrades.
Demand for the CEG Scheme has been very strong since the launch of this year’s Call for Projects in March. To date, 14 contracts with a grant value of over €35million have been issued by the SEAI (Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland) and a further 12 applications are currently under evaluation within the SEAI. All of which points to a strong pipeline of works under the scheme for the remainder of this year and into 2023.
Under this year’s guidelines for the Scheme, contracts for works are extended to 12 months. This will better support year-round delivery of services and allow for more complex projects. The Communities Grant Scheme guidelines were published in March 2022 and can be found at the following link: www.seai.ie/grants/community-grants/project-criteria-and-funding/Communities-Grant-Guidelines-2022.pdf.
