Written answers

Tuesday, 8 November 2022

Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment

Energy Conservation

Photo of Bríd SmithBríd Smith (Dublin South Central, People Before Profit Alliance)
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17. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the actions that his Department has taken to ensure that SEAI schemes will not see homeowners forced to pay upfront the full costs of energy efficiency work undertaken by contractors from 1 January 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55317/22]

Photo of Eamon RyanEamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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My Department funds a number of energy upgrade schemes that are administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI). Figures for September, compared to the same period last year show that:

- Demand is exceptionally high across all Schemes this year with applications up 146%.

- Home energy upgrade completions are up 67% on last year.

- Homes upgrades to a BER B2 or better are up 104% on last year.

- Homes upgraded under SEAI energy poverty schemes are up 136%.

- We are on track to achieve the 27,000 overall output target this year, and we are targeting 37,000 upgrades next year.

We are building towards the numbers we need to achieve to reach our overall 500,000 target.

In terms of costs to homeowners,

- Energy upgrades provided under the Warmer Homes Scheme are 100% Government funded so eligible homeowners do not face any cost, upfront or otherwise.

- Under the new National Home Energy Upgrade Scheme which was launched earlier this year, homeowners apply through a One Stop Shop which passes on the grant savings as an upfront discount on the works, meaning the homeowner only needs to fund the remainder of the cost

Under the Better Energy Homes scheme, homeowners can:

- Apply themselves and have the grant refunded once works are complete;

- Apply themselves and have the grant paid to their contractor which can choose to offer them a discount upfront; or,

- Apply through a registered Energy Partner which will carry out the works for the homeowner and pass on the grant savings as a discount on the works.

I recognise the valuable role of the Energy Partners in helping support homeowners to access energy efficiency measures, by avoiding the need for them to pay the full amount of the works upfront. This is particularly important in light of the current energy crisis. Officials from my Department are working with the SEAI to ensure that the option of having grant savings act as an upfront discount on works will continue to be available.

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