Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Social Democrats)
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535. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the number of grants for domestic heat pumps that have been allocated under the SEAI grant system since the inception of that part of its programme by area. [53376/18]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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The grants for air, water and ground source heat pumps were introduced in April 2018. The grants were set at €3,500 for all categories except air-to-air heat pumps for which a grant of €600 is available. In addition there is a grant for €200 towards the cost of a mandatory Technical Assessment which is essential to ensure the correct performance of this technology.

Home heating is a significant investment for most households, especially if changing from familiar fuels and systems. Once a household decided to invest in a heat pump and to apply for a grant they go through the following steps:

- Obtain quotes

- Submit an application to the SEAI

- Undertake the works

- Return declaration of works to SEAI

There is, therefore, a necessary lag time between applying for a grant and having works carried out. The following table shows the number of applications received by SEAI since April for a grant towards the cost of installing of a heat pump.

- 477 heat pumps to be installed in Better Energy Communities;

- 28 heat pumps to be installed in Sustainable Energy Communities;

- At least 70 heat pumps to be installed under Deep Retrofit Pilot.

Precise 2018 numbers for installation of heat pumps under Better Energy Communities and Deep Retrofit programmes will be available in January 2019.