Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 7 March 2023
160. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of retrofits completed in 2022 under each scheme, by county; the average costs and waiting time, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10855/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn February 2022, Government launched 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. Following the introduction of the new measures, demand across the SEAI residential and community energy upgrade schemes was exceptionally high in 2022 and as the figures below highlight, there was an increase when compared to 2021 levels:
- 27,200 home energy upgrades were supported in 2022, compared to 15,246 in 2021, representing a 79% increase year-on year.
- Of these, 8,481 upgrades were to a post works Building Energy Rating (BER) of B2 or better, compared to 4,345 in 2021, representing a 95% increase year-on-year.
- Of the overall number, 4,438 homes were upgraded under SEAI energy poverty schemes, compared to 2,398 in 2021, representing a 85% increase year-on-year.
The cost of a retrofit depends on a range of factors including the size and type of home as well as the age and starting condition of the property and the retrofitting works required or recommended.
With regard to waiting times, the following sets out the processes across the various schemes operated by the SEAI:
- The Individual Grants (Better Energy Homes Scheme and Solar PV) are demand-led schemes which require homeowners to procure their own contractor following grant approval from SEAI (this approval process is instantaneous once all requirements for the SEAI grant application portal are met by applicants). Works must be completed within an 8-month period, starting from the date of grant approval.
- Under the National Home Energy Home Upgrade Scheme and Community Energy Grant Scheme, homeowners engage a registered One Stop Shop or Project Co-ordinator, respectively, 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 eligibility criteria for approval to the Warmer Homes Scheme are mainly linked to Department of Social Protection (DSP) means tested payments. Priority is then given to those living in the worst performing homes, with Building Energy Ratings of E, F or G. These criteria target the support to those on the lowest incomes in the least efficient homes, so that the resources available to the scheme can have the greatest impact. Under the Warmer Homes Scheme the average cycle time from application to completion is 26 months. In recent years, cycle times have been affected by COVID related issues. In addition, there are deeper measures being provided under the Scheme since 2018, which involve more substantive works, and therefore take longer to complete.
The SEAI is finalising a Quarterly Report which is due to be published shortly which will contain the county breakdown. This Report will set out an overview of the 2022 performance against annual targets on the residential and community energy efficiency schemes.
