Jennifer Whitmore (Wicklow, Social Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

75. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the number of homes upgraded to BER B2 under SEAI retrofitting schemes to date in 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37277/23]

Jennifer Whitmore (Wicklow, Social Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

76. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the number of heat pumps installed to date in 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37278/23]

Jennifer Whitmore (Wicklow, Social Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

195. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the number of homes upgraded to BER B2 under SEAI retrofitting schemes to date in 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39345/23]

Jennifer Whitmore (Wicklow, Social Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

196. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the number of heat pumps installed to date in 2023 in existing homes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39346/23]

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

I propose to take Questions Nos. 75, 76, 195 and 196 together.

The National Retrofit Plan 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 (BER) of B2/cost optimal level and installing 400,000 heat pumps to replace older, less efficient heating systems by 2030.

My Department funds a number of schemes to support households to improve the energy efficiency of their properties. SEAI administer these schemes on behalf of my Department. To promote and incentivise the achievement of these targets, in February 2022, the Government launched a package of significantly enhanced supports to make it easier and more affordable for homeowners to undertake home energy upgrades.

Since the introduction of the new measures, demand for the SEAI Schemes has been exceptionally high. Last year saw 27,200 home energy upgrades. This represents a 79% increase on 2021 levels.

A record €356 million in funding has been allocated to SEAI for residential and community retrofit, including Solar PV, for 2023 to support the delivery of 37,000 home energy upgrades this year.

Figures to end of August 2023 show:

• Almost 30,000 home energy upgrades have been supported so far this year (up 124% on August 2022);
• Over 10,600 BER B2 upgrades completed (up 178% on August 2022);
• Almost 3,500 fully funded energy upgrades for low-income households (up 27% on August 2022);
• 2,435 Heat Pump installations (up 84% on August 2022)
• SEAI has published quarterly reports for the first two quarters of 2023 which are available on their website and provide more detail in relation to the retrofits carried out under SEAI schemes in the first half of the year. A report for the third quarter will be published in October.

Jennifer Whitmore (Wicklow, Social Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

77. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the number of applications for the SEAI warmer homes grant to date in 2023; the current average length of time persons are waiting for SEAI warmer homes grant works; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37279/23]

Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Social Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

147. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment whether he is aware that the current waiting time with the Sustainable Energy Association of Ireland between application and completion of works under the free energy upgrade scheme is in the region of 24 months; if he is taking steps to improve the situation and reduce the waiting time; if not, the reason; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38627/23]

Jennifer Whitmore (Wicklow, Social Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

197. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the number of homes upgraded under SEAI energy poverty schemes this year to date; if he will provide a breakdown of works undertaken under those schemes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39347/23]

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

I propose to take Questions Nos. 77, 147 and 197 together.

The Better Energy Warmer Homes Scheme delivers a range of energy efficiency measures free of charge to low-income households vulnerable to energy poverty. The primary aim of the scheme is to provide upgrades to those living in, or at risk of, energy poverty. The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) operates the scheme on behalf of my Department. Delivering free energy upgrades to low-income households as quickly as possible is a top priority for my Department and the SEAI.

Increased awareness of the multiple benefits of retrofit and improvements to the Warmer Homes Scheme are driving increased levels of demand for the scheme. This can be seen in application numbers with over 9,900 applications received in 2022 and over 10,000 additional applications received up until the end of August this year alone.

It should be noted that the scheme has been delivering a greater volume of deeper and more complex upgrades in recent years. This is reflected in the average cost of upgrades which have increased from €2,600 in 2015 to €24,000 in 2023. The increase in depth of retrofit is also reflected in the waiting times as more significant works take a longer time per home to complete. It also is important to note that the scheme was also impacted significantly by construction sector closures and restrictions on home visits associated with COVID-19 in recent years which resulted in a build up of applications.

To date in 2023, 3,434 homes have been upgraded. The upgrades that will be recommended for a property will depend on many factors, including age, size, type and condition of the property. For each eligible home, SEAI’s technical surveyor will determine which upgrades can be installed and funded. These can include:

• Attic insulation and appropriate ventilation;
• Wall insulation and appropriate ventilation – cavity wall, external wall or dry lining depending on the property;
• Secondary measures – lagging jackets, draughtproofing, energy efficient lighting;
• In certain circumstances: heating system replacements, window replacements where the wall is being insulated
• The average waiting time from application to completion in Q2 2023 was just under 19 months. This is a decrease from an average of 26 months for homes completed in 2022. The significant reductions in the average waiting time has been achieved in part through the following actions taken to reduce the timeline to completion and increase output under the scheme:
• SEAI has been allocated additional staff for the Warmer Homes Scheme;
• A significantly increased budget allocation;
• SEAI work to increase contractor output through active contract engagement and management;
• Actions to address ongoing supply chain and inflationary pressures.
• My Officials continue to work with the SEAI to maximise and accelerate output of free energy upgrades delivered. An unprecedented budget of €148.5 million has been allocated to the scheme this year which will deliver 6,000 home upgrades. Additional funding of €264 million has also been secured for the scheme from the European Regional Development Fund and will supplement the annual allocations over the period from now until 2027. Importantly, a new contractor panel for the scheme was recently established. It is intended that the panel will be in place for 4 years, with an estimated contract budget of €700 million for that period, which is a very strong signal of commitment.

Jennifer Whitmore (Wicklow, Social Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

78. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment when the low-interest loans to enable homes to retrofit will be available; the rate it will be set at; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37280/23]

Jennifer Whitmore (Wicklow, Social Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

194. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he will provide details on when the low-interest loan for retrofitting will be available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39344/23]

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

I propose to take Questions Nos. 78 and 194 together.

My Department is working with the Department of Finance, the Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland, the Sustainable Energy Authority Ireland, the European Investment Bank and the European Investment Fund to develop a residential retrofit loan guarantee scheme, which will be backed by a counter guarantee provided by the EIB Group.

The loan guarantee will provide risk protection to retail credit institutions participating in the scheme and will enable credit institutions to offer loans with reduced interest rates to private homeowners and non-corporate landlords making comprehensive home energy efficiency upgrades more affordable to consumers. Further, it will signal to the banking sector, new sustainable business opportunities associated with retrofit and the transition to a low carbon economy as well as increasing the volume of retrofit activity within the State.

The development of this innovative scheme is a complex process involving several stakeholders. Intensive engagement to develop the scheme is ongoing and there has been extensive due diligence between the EIB Group and the Irish banking and credit union sector.

The residential retrofit loan guarantee scheme will be the first consumer-focused guaranteed loan of its kind in Ireland. All stakeholders both at national and European level are committed to finalising the project and it is expected that the loan guarantee will be in place this year. Detail on the applicable interest rates will be available at that time.