Written answers

Tuesday, 23 November 2021

Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment

Departmental Schemes

Photo of Sorca ClarkeSorca Clarke (Longford-Westmeath, Sinn Fein)
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207. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the number of homes that have been retrofitted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57629/21]

Photo of Eamon RyanEamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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My Department funds a number of SEAI grant schemes to support homeowners to improve the energy efficiency of their properties. Partial grants are available for individuals that can afford to contribute to the cost of upgrades as well as free energy efficiency retrofits for people at risk of energy poverty. 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 and cheaper to heat and light. Some €221.5 million in capital funding has been provided this year for SEAI residential and community retrofit programmes, including the Solar PV scheme and the Building Energy Rating programme.  This represents an 82% increase on the 2020 allocation and is the largest amount ever for the schemes. Over 11,000 retrofits received SEAI support to end-October this year. It is important to note that extensive COVID-19 related restrictions on construction activity in the residential sector between January and mid-April as well as subsequent challenges in the supply chain have had a significant impact on activity. Residential retrofit is also a major focus of the funding provided in the National Development Plan Review. €5 billion of the expected €9.5 billion in additional carbon tax receipts will be invested in energy efficiency and will underpin the National Retrofit Plan.

In addition to the schemes operated by the SEAI, the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage funds the Local Authority Retrofit Scheme. In 2021, €65 million was allocated for this scheme.

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