Darren O'Rourke (Meath East, Sinn Fein)
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3. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the reason that the number of attic and cavity wall insulation works has decreased dramatically in recent years; if he accepts that approximately 165,000 homes have no such works completed and that in the region of 500,000 homes could benefit from such improvement works; if he will increase the 80% grant and reduce the administrative burden for accessing these supports in light of the urgent climate, energy and cost-of-living crises, and in order to accelerate the roll-out of shallow retrofits; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55346/22]

Darren O'Rourke (Meath East, Sinn Fein)
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Why has the number of attic and cavity insulation works decreased so dramatically in recent years? Does the Minister accept that approximately 165,000 homes have no such works completed and that in the region of 500,000 homes could benefit from such improvement works? Will he increase the 80% grant and reduce the administrative burden for accessing these supports in light of the urgent climate, energy and cost of living crises and to accelerate the roll-out of shallow retrofits?

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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The climate action plan contains a target to reduce emissions from the residential sector by retrofitting the equivalent of 500,000 homes to a building energy rating, BER, of B2 cost optimal and installing 400,000 heat pumps in existing homes to replace older, less efficient heating systems by the end of 2030.

Earlier this year, the Government launched a package of supports to make it easier and more affordable for homeowners to undertake home energy upgrades. In recognition of the importance of high-impact shallow measures in reducing household energy demand, a special enhanced grant rate of 80% was introduced specifically for attic insulation and cavity wall insulation for all households. Figures for September compared with those for last year show that demand is exceptionally high across all schemes this year, with applications up almost 150%. Home energy upgrade completions are up 67% on last year, home upgrades to a BER B2 rating or better are up 104% on last year and the number of homes upgraded under Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland, SEAI, energy poverty schemes is up 136%. We are on track to achieve the overall target of 27,000 this year and we are targeting 37,000 next year, which was part of the long-term plan.

We are building towards the annual numbers we need to achieve to reach our overall target of 500,000. The SEAI estimates there could be up to 500,000 homes with attic insulation of a thickness of less than 120 mm of mineral wool. It also estimates that approximately 162,000 homes have cavity wall construction that could benefit from insulation. Approximately 80,000 of those homes were constructed pre 1980 and could particularly benefit from cavity wall insulation.

We are working with the SEAI and other stakeholders to ensure that this opportunity is maximised. In recent years, the number of homeowners installing attic and cavity wall insulation has fallen compared with the levels seen a decade ago. This could be attributed to a range of economic factors - mainly homeowner choice. This is one of the reasons we introduced the 80% grant, and it is working. So far this year, demand for attic and cavity insulation grants has been very strong with a near tripling in applications. In its most recent forecasts, the SEAI advises that it expects to complete in the order of 20,000 attic and cavity wall insulations by year-end, which is part of the overall figure of 27,000.

Darren O'Rourke (Meath East, Sinn Fein)
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As is always the case with retrofitting, there is a significant volume of figures. Some attention to detail is required in order to drill down into them. I repeat a point I made previously, namely, that it is not entirely impressive to continually reference a benchmark of last year when we had a lockdown. In that light, an increase of 150% is not as impressive as it might sound.

The Minister referred to the SEAI's expectation that 20,000 attic insulations will be completed by the end of the year. In 2011, we completed 52,000 attic insulations. We know there is low-hanging fruit in this regard. There are 162,000 cold homes. If these homes only got attic and cavity wall insulation, it would be a significant help.

Regarding the 80% grant, the Minister said that the number of applications has trebled. How many applications have there been? How many specific programmes of works have been delivered under the 80% grant? I am inclined to believe there is a significant opportunity for further roll-out.

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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I am glad the Deputy went back to 2011 because there was a massive increase in retrofitting of buildings in the period 2008 to 2011. We were in government at the time and I was the Minister responsible. I thought the roll-out and expansion of insulation of housing was critical. It fell back in subsequent years for a variety of complex reasons. Perhaps it was not centre stage. It is one of those projects that you can easily put off because it might be seen as a hassle. There are questions about what to do in technical terms and what is the right or the wrong thing.

Regarding the figures relating to the doubling or trebling in the context of what happened previously, the level of increase is primarily from what was a base even before Covid. We were not doing anything like those numbers even back in 2018 and 2019, so there has been a significant ramping up. We are meeting the targets we set in the climate action plan. That is important. People might be despondent about climate change and feel that we cannot do anything. What we are showing with retrofitting is that we can do something. I am of the view that it is only warming up - excuse the pun. The insulation of those 27,000 houses this year will influence the owners of neighbouring properties. We will get the 37,000 completions next year and go higher the following year and the year after that. It is on an upward path, which is where we need to keep it.

Darren O'Rourke (Meath East, Sinn Fein)
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There are a couple of things to watch. One is the amount of work completed. My understanding is that the target for this year was 27,800, not 27,000. Regarding the better energy warmer homes scheme, the SEAI indicated to us that it would get in the region of 4,000 rather than 4,800. Let us keep an eye on those.

We need to talk about cold homes and the people we are lifting out of energy poverty as much as the targets that are being hit. There is a real opportunity in these shallow retrofits to do that but there needs to be a reorientation of the schemes. We have new solid fuel regulations. Will the Minister prepare a scheme for people who are dependent on solid fuel to heat their homes? This group is particularly exposed to the risk of fuel poverty this winter and needs a dedicated scheme.

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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Regarding the exact end-of-year figures, whether it is 27,800, 26,800 or 27,000, there are certain factors that are outside our control. These are 27,000 homes that must make a decision regarding timing and so on. One way or the other, either side of that figure is not the key measure. I am aware that 44,000 applications have been received, so the pipeline for next year is looking strong.

The real constraint has been around the workforce. If you talk to anyone, you will realise that the demand is limitless at the moment.

For contractors, there is a huge volume of interest. The restriction was in the number of workers. Improving this, as the Minister, Deputy Harris, is doing through the apprenticeship schemes, is the key way to get those numbers up.

Turning to further developments and schemes, we are working now on the final stages of our climate action plan for next year. We will have to publish it in mid-December. We will consider other measures across all the different sectors, but we have not signed off on those details yet so I will have to come back to the Deputy on this aspect.