Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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93. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he is considering changing the administration in relation the 80% grant for certain retrofit measures as suggested by the Climate Action Council; if he is considering an extension towards other actions delivering swift energy savings; and if solar panels with battery storage, heat controls or other measures warrant similar levels of support. [44552/22]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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The Programme for Government and Climate Action Plan set ambitious targets to retrofit the equivalent of 500,000 homes to a Building Energy Rating (BER) of B2/cost optimal level and the installation of 400,000 heat pumps in existing homes by end-2030. This represents approximately 30% of the housing stock and is among the most ambitious retrofit programmes worldwide.

Recognising that the achievement of these targets will require a step-change in the pace and scale of delivery in Ireland’s residential retrofit programme, earlier this year, the Government approved a package of supports to make it easier and more affordable for homeowners to undertake home energy upgrades. The key measures included:

- A new National Home Energy Upgrade Scheme providing increased grant levels of up to 50% of the cost of a typical deep retrofit to a B2 BER standard (up from 30%-35% grants currently).

- Establishment of a network of registered One Stop Shops to offer a new, start-to-finish project management service, including access to financing, for home energy upgrades.

- Increases in grant levels for certain measures under the Better Energy Home scheme and Community Energy Grant scheme in line with those in the new Scheme.

-A special enhanced grant rate, equivalent to 80% of the typical cost, for attic and cavity wall insulation for all households, to urgently reduce energy use as part of the government’s response to current exceptionally high energy prices.

These changes have resulted in a very high level of demand with over 32,000 applications received to date versus a total of 20,000 applications for the full year 2021. This high level of demand has also translated into strong delivery with SEAI data showing that 13,406 upgrades have been completed across the residential and community energy schemes to end-August. The full year output under the schemes last year was approximately 15,500 home upgrades.  

The grant rates were set following a comprehensive evaluation and consultative process led by SEAI and the Department, including leveraging learning and experience in SEAI, industry consultation, customer research and analysis of cost data. SEAI will monitor cost data on an ongoing basis to track and monitor changes in the market. The grant rates will be kept under review taking account of: the overarching need to build a much bigger home upgrade sector; evolving science; innovation; evolving technology and other relevant factors.

The SEAI has also worked to streamline and improve the application process for grants. Online applications for cavity wall and attic insulation under the Better Energy Homes Scheme receive immediate confirmation of the grant offer.