Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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115. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the steps that he is taking to promote the insulation of homes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57926/22]

Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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131. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the steps that he is taking to reduce the cost of insulating homes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57927/22]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 115 and 131 together.

The National Retrofit Plan, published in November 2021 sets out the Government's approach to achieving the Climate Action Plan targets of upgrading the equivalent of 500,000 homes to a Building Energy Rating of B2.

A key step in implementing the Plan took place in February, when 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.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. 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.

In recognition of the importance of low-cost but high-impact measures in reducing household energy demand, a special enhanced grant rate of 80% was introduced specifically for attic insulation and cavity wall insulation for all households. This is available to all homeowners across these three schemes to urgently reduce energy use and cost as part of the Government’s response to current exceptionally high energy prices.

Since February, demand across the SEAI retrofit schemes has been exceptionally high and for its part, the retrofit sector has mobilised in response to the greater level of interest.

Figures from SEAI indicate that, to end of November:

- Over 46,300 applications for support have been received – a 152% increase on the same period last year.

- Over 22,800 home energy upgrades have been completed – a 69% increase on the same period last year.

- Over 4,000 homes been upgraded under SEAI energy poverty schemes – a 107% increase on the same period last year.

- Over 7,600 homes have been upgraded to a BER of B2 or better – a 91% increase on the same period last year

- Over 9,300 individual attic and cavity wall insulation upgrades have been completed to date this year – a increase of 132% 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.