Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 17 January 2024
65. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications how many applications have been made and approved by the SEAI for residential retrofitting for houses built prior to 1940; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56372/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department funds a number of grant schemes, administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) to support homeowners to improve the energy efficiency of their properties.
SEAI advise that it is open to owners and non-corporate landlords of pre-1940 homes to apply for any of its grant supported schemes. However, the retrofit of traditional buildings is a complex issue that requires careful consideration. The materials and techniques used in energy efficiency upgrades of such buildings must be suitable for the buildings in question including for use with vapour permeable construction where applicable.
All of the SEAI approaches are determined by the Building Regulations, incorporating NSAI S.R.54: 2014 Code of practice for the energy efficient retrofit of dwellings. This means that wall insulation is not recommended under any of its residential energy efficiency schemes on dwellings built before 1940 which are constructed in stone, single-leaf masonry or composite wall construction. However, SEAI will assess applicant homes under the various residential energy efficiency schemes for other measures which may be possible.
SEAI advise that while it does not track applications for traditional homes, its data shows that since 2020, 16,403 properties that have received grant support under the residential and community energy efficiency schemes energy efficiency were built prior to 1940.
To support the appropriate upgrade of traditional buildings, a new guidance document – ‘Improving Energy Efficiency in Traditional Buildings’ has been recently developed by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage and can be found on the Gov.ie website at www.gov.ie/en/publication/18cb9-improving-energy-efficiency-in-traditional-buildings-guidance-for-specifers-and-installers-2023/.
This guidance will be an important resource to SEAI as well as the retrofit and wider construction industry in the appropriate energy efficiency upgrading of older, traditionally-built buildings while ensuring compliance with the appropriate building regulations.
