Paul McAuliffe (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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40. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the breakdown of SEAI home grants funding by local authorities for each of the years 2018 to 2020 and to date in 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38384/21]

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/cost optimal and to install 400,000 heat pumps in existing buildings over the next 10 years.

€221.5 million in capital funding has been provided this year for SEAI residential and community retrofit programmes. This represents an 82% increase on the 2020 allocation and is the largest amount ever for the schemes. This allocation has facilitated the expansion and improvement of existing SEAI grant schemes and the introduction of new initiatives.

SEAI does not hold data on grant funding provided by local authority area. However, a breakdown of funding by county is available and I have asked the SEAI to provide this information to the Deputy

It is important to note that the number of retrofits last year were unfortunately, negatively impacted by COVID-19 related restrictions. Enhanced COVID restrictions between January and April also had a significant impact on activity this year. Every effort is being made to maximise activity now that construction activity in the residential sector has recommenced.

Steven Matthews (Wicklow, Green Party)
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41. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if the SEAI can consider a person (details supplied) for future works on their property despite having had some minor energy efficiency work completed 15 years ago; if consideration is given to the health and age of such applicants and the nature and limitations of any previous work done; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38413/21]

Ossian Smyth (Dún Laoghaire, Green Party)
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The Better Energy Warmer Homes Scheme delivers a range of energy efficiency measures free of charge to low income households vulnerable to energy poverty. In order to qualify for support, applicants must own and live in their home which was built and occupied before 2006 and must be in receipt of certain social welfare payments. Age and health status are not part of the eligibility criteria for the Warmer Homes Scheme.

To date over 143,000 homes have received free upgrades under the scheme, leaving the occupants better able to afford to heat their homes to an adequate level. The approximate average value of the energy efficiency measures provided to households under the Better Energy Warmer Homes scheme was €14,800 in 2020.

Individual applications to the Warmer Homes Scheme are an operational matter for the SEAI and as Minister I have no role in such matters. However, in reference to the case raised by the Deputy, I have been informed by the SEAI that there is no record of a previous application through the Warmer Homes Scheme for this address and as such, the person in question is eligible to submit an application for review.

There are currently over 7,800 homes on the Warmer Homes work programme and the scheme operates nationally on a first come, first serve basis. These homes have not previously received any free upgrades under the scheme and for that reason are the priority to receive upgrades. My Department is in regular contact with the SEAI in relation to the operation of the Scheme. Recommendations on the implementation of changes to the scheme to better target those most in need will be finalised shortly.

In addition to the increased budget allocation, delivery capacity has increased due to a new, broader contractor panel that commenced at the end of 2020. I have also secured additional resources this year to expand the capacity of the SEAI to deliver the scheme.

Brendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael)
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42. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he will make a better energy grant available for the installation of a thermodynamic solar hot water system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38433/21]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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My Department funds a number of grant schemes to support homeowners to improve the energy efficiency of their properties. These are administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI). Since 2000, over 450,000 homeowners have upgraded their homes with support from these schemes, representing nearly one home in four across the country. This has resulted in warmer, healthier and more comfortable homes that are easier to heat and light.

Under the Better Energy Homes scheme, a grant of €1,200 is available for Solar Water Heating installation. The installation must meet the minimum annual solar renewable energy contribution based on the floor area of the dwelling. Full details of the technical criteria can be found in the Domestic Technical Standards and Specification (DTSS) publication available on the SEAI website.

All solar products installed must be included on the SEAI Solar Thermal Registered Product List. If a manufacturer or their designated agent wishes to register a product on the SEAI Solar Thermal Registered Product List, they must complete and return a Solar Thermal Product Registration form along with any supporting documentation. This form can be downloaded from the SEAI website at www.seai.ie/grants/supports-for-contractors/. The product will be assessed by SEAI to ensure compliance with thermal performance and durability criteria and if successful, will be included on the registered product list.