Alan Farrell (Dublin Fingal, Fine Gael)
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139. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the way his Department will achieve the target of 400 free home retrofits per month; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9465/22]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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The Better Energy Warmer Homes Scheme delivers free energy upgrades for eligible homeowners in low-income households at risk of energy poverty.  Since 2000, over 143,000 free upgrades have been supported by the SEAI administered scheme.  Last year, 2,126 upgrades were delivered under the scheme and the average cost of the energy efficiency measures provided per household was €17,100.

There are currently just over 7,000 homes awaiting works on the Warmer Homes Scheme work programme. It is important to note that activity under the Scheme in 2020 and 2021 was significantly impacted by COVID-related restrictions on the construction sector which led to a large increase in the number of homes awaiting works. Addressing wait times is a key priority for my Department and the SEAI.  

The 2022 budget for the Scheme, at €109 million, will support an increase in the number of homes retrofitted from 177 per month in 2021 to 400 per month this year. This greatly increased level of activity will enable the homes currently on the waiting list to be cleared in approximately 18 months.

In addition to the record capital allocation for the Scheme this year, I have also secured additional staffing resources for the SEAI including the Warmer Homes Scheme team.  Delivery capacity in the supply chain has also increased due to a new, broader contractor panel established in late 2020. The SEAI continues to work with the scheme contractors on an ongoing basis to further increase output.

John Lahart (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)
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140. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if there is a timeline for the establishment of the national residential retrofit oversight steering group; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10480/22]

John Lahart (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)
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182. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if there is a timeline for the establishment of the national residential retrofit oversight steering group; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10608/22]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 140 and 182 together.

The National Retrofit Plan sets out the Government's approach to achieving the Climate Action Plan targets of upgrading the equivalent of 500,000 homes to a Building Energy Rating of B2/cost optimal level and installing 400,000 heat pumps to replace older, less efficient heating systems by 2030.

The Plan incorporates actions to be delivered across a number of Government Departments and Agencies. As such, implementation will require collaboration across Government and appropriate structures and governance arrangements are essential. In that regard, the Plan commits to the establishment of a cross-departmental steering group, chaired by the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications to drive implementation. This group will be established by the end of March  and will oversee and monitor progress against our national targets and develop new initiatives as required.