Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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35. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the grant levels available for works under the various SEAI schemes for householders that is warmer homes, better energy homes, solar grants and so on; the impact on the take up of these schemes as a result of Covid-19; and his plans to increase the payment levels for particular works in order to stimulate activity In the months ahead. [29166/20]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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The SEAI operates a number of energy efficiency upgrade schemes on behalf of my Department.These schemes include partial grants for individuals that can afford to contribute to the cost of upgrades as well as schemes that provide free energy efficiency improvements for people who are in receipt of certain welfare payments.The attached document provides information on the grant levels available by scheme.  Further information is available from the SEAI on 1850 250 204 or their website at . 

SEAI grant schemes will be a central element of the Government’s approach to achieving our national retrofit targets. The July Stimulus 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 funding supported the first call for projects under the new National Homes Retrofit Scheme which was launched on 25 September.  This scheme is suitable for one-stop-shops, residential service providers, employers, financial institutions, Approved Housing Bodies and local authorities.  Details are available at:

By announcing this additional 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.  Further details on other new and expanded schemes will be announced in the coming weeks.

The schemes impacted most significantly by the COVID-19 restrictions are the Warmer Homes Scheme and Warmth and Wellbeing Scheme.  Under these schemes, works taking longer than one day to complete remain postponed on all homes where any occupant is in the ‘very high risk’ group, as defined by the HSE. This is due to the intrusive nature of the works on the schemes, with multiple crew members in homes working in close proximity and often over long periods.

SEAI is mindful of the concerns that homeowners have with winter approaching and this is taken into account in its decision making as to how soon the scheme can move to the next phase.  This must be balanced, however, with the continuing risks of COVID-19 for applicants, contractors and the wider community. SEAI have been reviewing how to ensure the scheme aligns with the recently published 'Plan for Living with Covid-19'.  My officials have been informed by the SEAI that a communication to contractors in this regard is imminent.