Patrick Costello (Dublin South Central, Green Party)
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171. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment when the SEAI better energy communities grant scheme funded by his Department will open for applications given that hospitality businesses need to carry out such work in the low season; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59069/22]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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The Communities Energy Grant Scheme is part of the Government's National Retrofit Programme aimed at upgrading building stock and facilities to high standards of energy efficiency and renewable energy usage, thereby reducing fossil fuel usage, energy costs and greenhouse gas emissions.The Scheme supports cross-sectoral and community-oriented partnership approaches that deliver energy savings to a range of building types including public, commercial and community buildings with a particular focus on using the projects to deliver home retrofits.

Demand for the CEG Scheme has been very strong since the launch of this year’s Call for Projects in March. To date, 17 contracts with a grant value of over €42 million have been issued by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) and a further 7 applications are currently under evaluation within the SEAI. All of which points to a strong pipeline of works under the scheme for the remainder of this year and into 2023. The SEAI has confirmed that the Community Energy Grant Scheme remains open to applications from interested organisations. 

There are also a suite of further supports for businesses available through SEAI, including:

- Energy Academy – an online learning platform for business to help them reduce their energy costs

- Climate Toolkit 4 Business – allows a business to estimate their carbon footprint and provides a personalised action plan

- Energy Audit scheme – voucher for €2,000 towards the cost of an energy audit

- EXEED certified grant – support scheme for business for major energy projects

- Support Scheme for renewable Heat (SSRH) – scheme supporting installation of renewable heat systems; bioenergy and heat pumps

- Accelerated Capital Allowance - tax incentive encouraging investment in energy saving products.

Thomas Pringle (Donegal, Independent)
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172. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he will provide the number of homes that have applied for the SEAI home insulation grant in Dublin per area code; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59083/22]

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 launched 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.Since the launch of the enhanced grant schemes, demand across the country has been very strong.  Figures from SEAI indicate that, as of end-October:

- Almost 41,000 applications for support have been received – a 152% increase on the same period last year.

- Over 18,400 home energy upgrades have been completed – a 59% increase on the same period last year.

- Over 3,600 homes been upgraded under SEAI energy poverty schemes – a 122% increase on the same period last year.

My Department is working with the SEAI to build on this strong performance with a robust pipeline of activity planned for the rest of the year and into 2023.

The specific breakdown of information sought by the Deputy is not readily available in my Department. It should be available directly from SEAI which operates a specific email address for enquiries from members of the Oireachtas - oireachtas@seai.ie.