Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 7 March 2023
159. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will list the number of registered one-stop shops in Mayo and the Connaught region to offer a start-to-finish project management service, including access to financing, for home energy upgrades; the average costs and waiting time, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10854/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn February last year, Government approved 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 and lower emissions.
The supports announced included the establishment of:
- the National Home Energy Upgrade Scheme which offers grant levels of up to 50% of the cost of a typical B2 home energy upgrade with a heat pump; and
- SEAI registered One-Stop-Shops to provide an end-to-end service for homeowners.
There are 12 One-Stop-Shops currently registered, 9 of which are National providers of services. These companies are typically large and shouldn’t be considered a ‘single contractor’. Of the three One Stop Shops providing a regional service, none specify the Mayo or wider Connaught region.
SEAI continue to actively engage with the construction sector with the aim of attracting more companies to register as One-Stop-Shops. A number of companies are already in the process of registering as one-stop-shops and SEAI are guiding them through the registration process.
Under the Scheme, homeowners engage a registered One Stop Shop, to manage the grant application process and oversee delivery of the retrofit on their behalf. Works must be completed under these schemes within 12 months. The average cost per upgrade depends on many factors, including age, size, type and condition of the property and the retrofitting works required or recommended.
It is important to note that the National Home Energy Upgrade Scheme is just one of the schemes available from SEAI. In 2022, some 27,200 home energy upgrades have been supported across the SEAI retrofit schemes – a 79% increase on the previous year.
