Written answers
Tuesday, 23 July 2024
Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment
Energy Conservation
Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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96.To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if the value of retrofit/energy efficiency grant payments can be urgently increased, given the increased costs of carrying out such works [32489/24]
Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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In February 2022, Government launched a package of enhanced SEAI 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 emissions. The range of schemes available allows homeowners to choose the best home upgrade option to suit their needs. Free upgrades are also available to households at risk of energy poverty.
Under Budget 2024, record capital funding of €437.2 million has been allocated to SEAI residential and community energy upgrade schemes. The allocation includes funding from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) so that more households at risk of energy poverty can avail of fully funded energy upgrades under the Warmer Homes Scheme.
Since the introduction of the enhanced supports, demand across the residential and community energy upgrade schemes continued to be exceptionally high last year with figures from SEAI showing:
- Almost 101,000 home energy upgrades supported in the period 2022 to end June 2024.
- Of these, almost 36,400 homes achieved a B2 Building Energy Rating.
- Of the overall, number of homes supported, almost 13,700 free energy upgrades were provided to eligible homeowners in low income households who are most at risk of energy poverty under the Warmer Homes Scheme.
The Government-backed €500 million Scheme is the first of its kind for both Ireland and the EIB Group and will play a crucial role in helping homeowners to invest in energy efficiency. Under the Scheme, homeowners can borrow from €5,000 to €75,000 at significantly lower interest rates to make their homes warmer and cheaper to run.
PTSB, AIB and Bank of Ireland are now offering loans under the scheme, with rates starting from as low as 3% (pricing varies depending on the finance provider). In addition to the three pillar banks, it is expected that a number of credit unions from the Irish League of Credit Unions will join the scheme in the coming weeks, which will allow more people to access these affordable loans in their own communities. Additional finance providers are expected to commence offering loans later this year.
My Department and the SEAI will continue to ensure that grant schemes terms and conditions, eligibility criteria and rates are kept under review taking account of demand, research, innovation, evolving technology, value for money and other relevant factors.
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