Darren O'Rourke (Meath East, Sinn Fein)
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227. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the estimated carbon reduction savings made by upgrading 100,000 homes under the new attic and cavity wall insulation scheme in the new National Retrofit Scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8170/22]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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The Government has approved a package of supports as part of the delivery Ireland’s residential retrofit programme. These measures are aimed at making it easier and more affordable for homeowners to undertake home energy upgrades, for warmer, healthier and more comfortable homes, with lower energy bills.

Included in these measures is the introduction of a special enhanced grant rate, equivalent to 80% of the typical cost, for attic and cavity wall insulation. The grant offering will be available across all part-funded schemes and will be available to all households in 2022, as a sustainable and enduring response to the current exceptionally high energy prices.

The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) estimates that annual savings of 24–29 kilotonnes of CO2 could be achieved by upgrading cavity wall insulation in 100,000 homes and a further 15-19 kilotonnes of annual CO2 savings could be achieved by upgrading attic insulation in 100,000 homes.

It is important to note that savings will depend on the characteristics of the homes availing of the grant measures, in particular size, as well as other factors such as existing levels of insulation and heating fuel type.