Written answers

Wednesday, 16 November 2022

Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment

Energy Policy

Photo of Bríd SmithBríd Smith (Dublin South Central, People Before Profit Alliance)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

61. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 152 and 154 of 1 March 2022, when the SEAI will provide the information requested; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56816/22]

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

I understand the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) replied by email to the Deputy on 12th April 2022 and a copy of the reply will be re-sent, for ease of reference.

Photo of Bríd SmithBríd Smith (Dublin South Central, People Before Profit Alliance)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

62. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he or the SEAI have any plans to review the rules in relation to access to energy efficiency grants and schemes for persons in homes who may have received some supports previously but who are now looking to upgrade or improve their homes energy efficiency; if the SEAI will examine the way that currently the only avenue open to persons whose homes may have had any form of SEAI support previously is to use a system (details supplied) which may involve expenditure beyond the scope of many persons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56839/22]

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

Earlier this year, the Government launched a package of supports aimed at making it easier and more affordable for homeowners to undertake home energy upgrades, for warmer, healthier and more comfortable homes, with lower energy bills and lower emissions. The supports included a new National Home Energy Upgrade Scheme which offers increased grant levels of up to 50% of the cost of a typical B2 home energy upgrade with a heat pump. Under the SEAI home energy upgrade schemes, the general principle applies whereby grant funding can only be issued once per measure per property.

However, under the National Home Energy Upgrade Scheme, a homeowner may be permitted to avail of a second grant for a measure where it is recommended in the One Stop Shop Home Energy Assessment to achieve the B2 and heat pump target. In cases where the OSS determines through the Home Energy Assessment and Heat Loss Indicator assessment that a second wall insulation is required to meet the heat pump requirement, then grant support for a second measure is permitted as follows: 

- Internal Wall Insulation is eligible where cavity has previously been funded.

- External wall insulation is eligible where either cavity or internal wall insulation has been funded.

In addition, as part of the package of supports approved by Government, reforms have also been made to the Better Energy Warmer Homes Scheme whereby applications may now be accepted from qualifying homeowners who previously received supports under the Scheme, but who could still benefit from deeper upgrade measures (revisits). This means that homeowners of properties built and occupied before January 1993 and have a pre-works BER of E, F or G will not be precluded from applying for a second time for qualifying works not previously carried out on their properties. 

Further information on the grants available from SEAI can be found on their website: www.seai.ie/grants/home-energy-grants/insulation-grants/

Comments

No comments

Log in or join to post a public comment.