Gerald Nash (Louth, Labour)
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361. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if he will provide an update on the introduction of a targeted energy efficiency retrofit scheme for approved housing bodies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18019/22]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
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In 2021, my Department launched a 'deeper' retrofit programme designed around the Programme for Government commitment to 'retrofit' 500,000 homes to a B2/Cost Optimal Equivalent (BER) standard by 2030. It is expected that approximately 36,500 of the overall target will be local authority owned homes. In 2022, my Department will fund the retrofit of 2,400 local authority owned social homes at a cost of €85 million.

My Department does not run an energy efficiency retrofit scheme for Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs). AHBs have traditionally accessed SEAI grants for this purpose. The recently announced new National Home Energy Upgrade Scheme is available to homeowners, non-corporate landlords and AHBs, whose property or home was built and occupied prior to 2011 offers. The new scheme offers increased grant levels of up to 50% of the cost of a typical B2 home energy upgrade. This is a significant increase on the previous grant levels of 30-35%.

The scheme introduces a new way to undertake home energy upgrades with SEAI registered one stop shops providing an end-to-end service. This includes surveying the home; designing the upgrades; managing the grant process; helping with access to finance; engaging contractors to deliver the work; and quality assuring the work. Other key elements of the Scheme include:

- Applications are made to the Scheme through SEAI-registered, privately-owned one stop shops.

- Grants will be paid through the one stop shops.

- Grants are available for Home Energy Assessments; Heat Pumps; Wall and Roof Insulation; Solar PV; Windows and Doors; Ventilation Systems and Project Management.

- Upgrades completed under the scheme must reach a post works BER rating of B2 or better.

- All upgrades completed must deliver a minimum primary energy uplift of at least 100 kWh/m2/year

A new system is being established by the SEAI which will streamline and automate the grant application process. One stop shops will provide AHBs with the appropriate documents in electronic and paper form, as required.

Registration for companies wishing to apply to be a one stop shop is open via SEAI’s website: www.seai.ie/grants/home-energy-grants/one-stop-shop/.