Written answers

Thursday, 24 February 2022

Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment

Environmental Schemes

Photo of Richard BrutonRichard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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165. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he is making provision for experimentation in the roll-out of the energy upgrade programme so that the impact of different approaches can be tested to find the approach that attracts the maximum level of participation. [9461/22]

Photo of Eamon RyanEamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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The National Retrofit Plan aims to achieve the equivalent of 500,000 homes retrofitted to a Building Energy Rating of B2/cost optimal and the installation of 400,000 heat pumps in existing premises to replace older, less efficient heating systems by end-2030. This represents approximately 30% of the housing stock and is among the most ambitious retrofit targets in the world. The achievement of these targets will require a step-change in the pace and scale of delivery as well as the development of new approaches and innovation.

The recently announced National Home Energy Upgrade Scheme will foster innovation and aggregation in the retrofit sector which will have a positive impact on participation, competitiveness and cost.  Under the scheme, One Stop Shops will be encouraged to bring together groups of homes for aggregated projects. This will help to deliver economies of scale and efficiencies in delivery as well as encouraging the development of new and innovative processes and technologies. The Community Energy Grant (CEG) Scheme also encourages innovative and pioneering partnerships between sectors.

The impact of initiatives will be monitored on an ongoing basis by the SEAI and the Department. A comprehensive evaluation measuring effectiveness and value will also take place in 2023 and will inform future developments.  

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