Written answers

Tuesday, 24 May 2022

Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment

Departmental Schemes

Photo of Eoin Ó BroinEoin Ó Broin (Dublin Mid West, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

93. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment further to Parliamentary Question No. 197 of 10 May 2022, if he will outline the programme, proposed outputs and timeline for the pilot to achieve B2 retrofits in the warmer homes scheme. [25820/22]

Photo of Eamon RyanEamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

In order to move the Warmer Homes scheme away from the installation of fossil fuel boilers, the National Retrofit Plan included a commitment to carry out a pilot to upgrade homes under the scheme to a Building Energy Rating (BER) of B2 standard and install heat pumps. This pilot commenced on schedule in Q1 2022. The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) is selecting approximately 100 homes for the Heat Pump Pilot and a further 277 homes for the B2 pilot. Suitability for the pilots will be determined using a desk-based approach of examining pre-works BER ratings and survey data. Homes that are not suitable for a heat pump will be considered for upgrade to a B2 rating. The purpose of the “B2 and Heat Pump pilots”, is to gather evidence that will inform the development of the appropriate process and approach to the delivery of an increased number of B2 upgrades and heat pump installations under the Warmer Homes scheme. It is also anticipated that both pilots will identify any operational, contractual, or technical gaps to be addressed as well as any other related dependencies.

The pilots will also allow the SEAI to maximise the energy savings for each home involved as well as increasing the quality of life for the inhabitants.

16 homes have been upgraded with heat pumps to date and to the end of April 2022, 40 homes have been upgraded to a B2 or Better.

SEAI will continue to report on progress to my Department on a monthly basis until all homes selected for the pilots have been completed.

Photo of Eoin Ó BroinEoin Ó Broin (Dublin Mid West, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

94. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the breakdown of the cost of retrofitting a dwelling to B2 under the better energy community grant scheme. [25821/22]

Photo of Eamon RyanEamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Communities Energy Grant Scheme is part of the Government's National Retrofit Programme aimed at upgrading building stock and facilities to high standards of energy efficiency and renewable energy usage, thereby reducing fossil fuel usage, energy costs and greenhouse gas emissions. The Scheme supports cross-sectoral and community-oriented partnership approaches that deliver energy savings to a range of building types including public, commercial and community buildings with a particular focus on using the projects to deliver home retrofits.

A total of 356 homes were retrofitted under the Community Energy Grant Scheme under its 2021 Call for Projects. Homes upgraded ranged across privately-owned dwellings; social housing; and fuel poor homes. Under the 2021 Scheme, grants of up to 50% of project costs were provided. 

The SEAI advise that the full data for 2021 is still being collated, but that based on information currently available, the average gross cost to retrofit a dwelling under the Community Grant Scheme in 2021 was €46,470. A total of €7.1 million was provided in grant support under the Scheme to domestic projects last year which equates to an average €20,000 in grant support per home.  

Photo of Eoin Ó BroinEoin Ó Broin (Dublin Mid West, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

95. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the average depth of retrofit of each retrofit scheme in 2021 and in 2022, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25822/22]

Photo of Eoin Ó BroinEoin Ó Broin (Dublin Mid West, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

105. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he will provide a breakdown of the number of installed oil and gas-boilers from both the warmer homes scheme and the warmth and wellbeing scheme for the years 2016-2022, in tabular form. [26224/22]

Photo of Eoin Ó BroinEoin Ó Broin (Dublin Mid West, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

106. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he will provide a breakdown of the amount of funds spent on installed oil and gas boilers from both the warmer homes scheme and the warmth and wellbeing scheme for the years 2016-2022, in tabular form. [26225/22]

Photo of Eoin Ó BroinEoin Ó Broin (Dublin Mid West, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

107. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the number of homes that have received retrofit works from both the energy-efficiency obligation scheme and the retrofit schemes operated by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland per year for the years 2021 and 2022, in tabular form. [26227/22]

Photo of Eoin Ó BroinEoin Ó Broin (Dublin Mid West, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

110. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he will outline the number of dwellings that were assessed for a heat pump for the years 2019 to 2022; and the number of dwellings that failed to pass that assessment for the years 2019 to 2022, in tabular form. [26230/22]

Photo of Eamon RyanEamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 95, 105, 106, 107 and 110 together.

The information requested in the Questions is being compiled and will be forwarded to the Deputy.

Photo of Eoin Ó BroinEoin Ó Broin (Dublin Mid West, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

96. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the number of retrofits completed per month under the warmer homes scheme in 2022, in tabular form. [25823/22]

Photo of Eoin Ó BroinEoin Ó Broin (Dublin Mid West, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

97. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the average cost of completion per dwelling under the warmer homes scheme for each of the years 2019 to 2022. [25824/22]

Photo of Eamon RyanEamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 96 and 97 together.

The Better Energy Warmer Homes Scheme delivers free energy upgrades for eligible homeowners in low-income households who are most at risk of energy poverty. It is administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI). Since the start of the scheme in 2000, over 145,000 free upgrades have been supported by the scheme.

The information sought is set out in the tables below.

Better Energy Warmer Homes Scheme January February March April
No. of Homes Completed 193 244 320 376
Better Energy Warmer Homes SchemeYear Number homes completed Average cost per home €
2019 3,142 €12,671
2020 1,524 €14,820
2021 2,126 €17,620
2022 (end of April) 1,133 not available

Photo of Eoin Ó BroinEoin Ó Broin (Dublin Mid West, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

98. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the value for money of each of the retrofit schemes expressed as estimated CO2 savings per Euro invested in 2021, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25825/22]

Photo of Eamon RyanEamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The 2021 Climate Action Plan (CAP21) sets out a range of emissions reductions for each sector that together will contribute towards achieving the 2030 greenhouse gas emissions reduction targets. The range of emissions reductions for the built environment published in CAP21 is 44% - 56% relative to 2018 levels and includes direct emissions associated with buildings in the residential, commercial and public sectors.

The National Residential Retrofit Plan is just one of many measures contained in CAP21 aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions from the built environment. Other measures announced as part of CAP21 include strengthening the building regulations, supporting the roll-out of district heating, the development of low carbon construction materials and technologies, and an ambitious public sector decarbonisation programme.  These measures, in conjunction with the National Residential Retrofit Plan, will contribute towards the achievement of the targeted range of emissions reductions in the built environment. 

The table below sets out the Estimated Emissions saved per million euro invested for each retrofit scheme for 2021. 

Of course, it is worth noting that the Schemes have significant benefits over and above emission savings. This investment delivers warmer, healthier, and more comfortable homes with lower energy costs.

SEAI Grant Scheme

Expenditure 2021

€m
Estimated CO2 Savings ktCO2 for 2021 Estimated CO2 savings in kt per Million Euro invested in 2021
Better Energy Homes 14.9 10.7 0.7181
Solar PV 9.76 4.3 0.4445
Better Energy Warmer Homes 38.08 2.4 0.0630
Warmth and Wellbeing Pilot 3.32 0.2 0.0602
Deep Retrofit Pilot 1.2 0.1 0.0833
One Stop Shop Call 9.7 2.4 0.2474
Communities Energy Grant

-of which relates to Homes
21.8

7.2
18.7

1.5
0.8577

0.2083

Comments

No comments

Log in or join to post a public comment.