Jackie Cahill (Tipperary, Fianna Fail)
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159. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the grant assistance available for a person who recently purchased a house and is looking to complete works in order to improve their BER; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56567/22]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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My Department funds a number of grant schemes, administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) to support homeowners to improve the energy efficiency of their properties.

In February, the Government approved a package of supports to make it easier and more affordable for homeowners to undertake home energy upgrades, for warmer, healthier and more comfortable homes, with lower energy bills. Free upgrades are available for households at risk of energy poverty under the Better Energy Warmer Homes Scheme.

As part of these supports, new increased grant rates are available across SEAI administered schemes: Better Energy Homes; Community Energy Grants and the National Home Energy Upgrade Scheme, thereby allowing homeowners to choose the best home upgrade option to suit their particular needs. The Better Energy Homes Scheme allows homeowners to take a step-by-step approach or self-manage the project. A special enhanced grant rate of up to 80% of the cost of attic and cavity wall insulation is available to urgently reduce energy use and cost as part of the Government’s response to current exceptionally high energy prices. The National Home Energy Upgrade Scheme and the Community Energy Grant Scheme are aimed towards homeowners wishing to undertake a whole home energy upgrade to achieve a Building Energy Rating of at least B2.

Homeowners can choose the best home upgrade option to suit their particular needs and budget. Details of the various energy upgrade schemes, and their eligibility criteria are available on the SEAI website at: www.seai.ie/grants/home-energy-grants/.