Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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36. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if a person (details supplied) in County Cork is obliged to change their property’s heating system from oil to gas in order for essential works to be carried out under the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland. [5335/22]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, 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. To date, over 143,000 homes have received free upgrades under the scheme.  In the first six months of 2021, the average value of the energy efficiency measures provided per household was approximately €17,100. A range of home energy improvements can be funded under this scheme. The upgrades that are recommended for any given property depend on many factors including age, size, type and condition of the property. Each eligible home is assessed on a case-by-case basis by SEAI’s managing agent. This involves a survey of the home which determines the upgrades that can be installed and funded. The home is subsequently allocated to a contractor which carries out a further assessment of the property to confirm the initial recommendation.  A programme of work is then agreed between the contractor and SEAI. Decisions in relation to the recommended upgrades made by both SEAI’s managing agent and contractors are informed by a technical operations manual

From 1 November 2019, new building standards have applied to major renovations on existing residential dwellings. This means where renovations affecting more than 25% of the surface area of a home (e.g. external wall insulation) are being carried out the energy performance of the whole home must be upgraded to new energy efficiency standards. This means that older heating systems in these homes must be replaced with newer, more efficient models.

My department has contacted SEAI and they have been informed that the works on this home including the heating system upgrade have been agreed with the homeowner and allocated to a contractor and will commence in due course.