Brendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael)
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208. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if insulation grants are available for listed buildings that are currently being renovated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5535/22]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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The Climate Action Plan and the National Retrofit Plan identify the important contribution the retrofit of buildings needs to make in delivering on our national and international climate goals.My Department funds a number of grant schemes to support homeowners as well as public and commercial entities to improve the energy efficiency of their properties. These schemes are administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI). Grants for listed buildings are available in certain circumstances subject to the scheme eligibility criteria and terms and conditions being met. Detailed information on the grants is available at www.seai.ie.  

A substantial proportion of buildings in Ireland are classified as traditionally built buildings. These tend to be stone or brick buildings which were designed to be vapour permeable. Generally speaking such buildings would have been constructed before 1940. It is important that the materials and techniques used in energy efficiency upgrades of traditional buildings are suitable for the buildings in question including for use with vapor permeable construction where applicable. For example a stone wall with lime based mortar will need a lime based plaster render to remain vapour permeable. Listed buildings are generally a subset of traditional buildings.

Central policy responsibility for listed buildings would be a matter for the Department of Housing Local Government and Heritage (DHLGH). To support the proper upgrade of traditional buildings a new Guidance Document - “Energy Efficiency in Traditional Buildings” is being developed by DHLGH. My Department and the SEAI are participating in the steering group overseeing the project. The objective is to finalise the guidance having regard to submissions received in the pubic consultation process with a view to publishing it this year.