Duncan Smith (Dublin Fingal, Labour)
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71. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the status of the introduction of a new scheme for retrofitting of homes as of September 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24994/20]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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The Programme for Government and the Climate Action Plan set ambitious targets to retrofit 500,000 homes to a Building Energy Rating of B2 and to install 400,000 heat pumps in existing buildings over the next 10 years. The retrofitting of homes delivers a range of important benefits including reductions in greenhouse gas emissions; the creation and retention of jobs in communities across the country; as well as warmer, more comfortable and healthier homes for citizens.

The development of a new retrofit plan to achieve these targets is well underway.  This process has included reviewing the experience of existing schemes in Ireland, consultation with stakeholders and an analysis of relevant international experience. 

SEAI grant schemes will be a central element of the Government’s approach to achieving our retrofit targets. The July Stimulus package commits to increasing the SEAI budget by €100 million in 2021. This additional funding will be focused on community retrofit schemes, retrofit schemes supporting those in energy poverty as well as other initiatives to support the achievement of our retrofit targets. The SEAI will shortly be announcing the first details of the new and expanded retrofit schemes with further details on Phase 1 of the plan available close to Budget day.

By announcing this additional €100 million funding as part of the July Stimulus, the Government is providing certainty to the sector so that they can continue approved programmes of work, bid into new and expanded schemes, maintain a pipeline of retrofit activity, and sustain and create jobs.