John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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149. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if the building regulation SR54 will be amended to allow external insulation to be provided on solid stone walls, thereby allowing the insulation to be grant-aided by the SEAI warmer homes scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48524/22]

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 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 146,000 free upgrades have been supported by the scheme.

In line with the Scheme guidelines and technical guidance, the Warmer Homes Scheme does not support insulation works on homes older than 1940, traditional or older buildings, specifically stone, random rubble and single-leaf brick walls. Older stone-build buildings (generally those built up until around the 1940s) usually fall into the category of traditionally built buildings.  

To support the proper upgrade of traditional buildings a new technical Guidance Document - “Energy Efficiency in Traditional Buildings” is being developed led by the Department of Housing Local Government and Heritage. My Department and the SEAI are participating in the steering group overseeing the project.  The objective is to finalise the guidance having regard to submissions received in the pubic consultation with a view to publishing it this year.  Once available this guidance will be an important resource to support contractors in the appropriate energy efficiency upgrade and renovation of older stone-build buildings while ensuring compliance with the appropriate building regulations.

The Warmer Homes Scheme criteria relating to the inclusion of insulation works on homes built before 1940 will be kept under review in the context of the new Guidance Document.