Duncan Smith (Dublin Fingal, Labour)
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228. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he will review the process and guidelines for external wall insulation given that grants are being provided for same (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35258/20]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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Contractors installing insulation under any scheme supported by an SEAI grant must carry out the works in line with the SEAI’s Domestic Technical Standards and Specifications and best practice and technical guidance documents including:- S.R. 54:2014 Code of practice for the energy efficient retrofit of dwellings

- Building Regulations Technical Guidance Documents (Latest updates of Part L, Part B, Part C, Part D, Part F, Part J, Part M in particular).

- The System Supplier/ Product Manufacturer Guidelines

- NSAI Agrément certificates www.nsai.ie

- Irish, British or European Standards Guides

SR 54:2014 has been developed by the Department of Housing, Local Government, and Heritage, the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications, the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland and the National Standards Authority of Ireland in conjunction with the Building Research Establishment to provide guidance on the energy efficient retrofit of dwellings.

SEAI’s Domestic Technical Standards and Specifications document states that “...it is essential that any cutting of polystyrene blocks with saws is done in a properly enclosed area (surrounded by mesh or indoors) to prevent the release of polystyrene debris into the local environment. Use of hot wire cutting is preferred as it is cleaner and produces less waste.”

Construction and demolition materials are being targeted by waste policy as an area of interest for waste reduction. Polystyrene is accepted at some Civic Amenity sites for disposal and is also accepted by a number of outlets for recycling.