Darren O'Rourke (Meath East, Sinn Fein)
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142.To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the extent to which real estate investment trust (REIT)-owned residences have availed of the SEAI’s retrofitting scheme; the number of REIT-owned properties that have been retrofitted under the SEAI various schemes, broken down by scheme, in 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and to date in 2024, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter.[35868/24]

Darren O'Rourke (Meath East, Sinn Fein)
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143.To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the breakdown of the real estate investment trusts (REIT) that have availed of the SEAI retrofitting schemes; the breakdown of the total value awarded to each REIT in 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and to date in 2024, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter.[35869/24]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 142 and 143 together.

The administration and management the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) schemes are an operational matter for the SEAI. The data requested by the Deputy is not held by my Department. I have, therefore, directed SEAI to reply directly to the Deputy with the data requested, in so far as it is available, as soon as possible.

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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144.To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the terms of the low-interest loans available for retrofitting homes from the various participating financial institutions; the supports by way of subsidies or guarantees being provided by European Investment Bank and by the State; and the likely cost that will fall on the Exchequer from such guarantees.[35883/24]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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The Home Energy Upgrade Loan Scheme was launched on the 24 April 2024. It was developed by my Department in conjunction with the Department of Finance, the Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland, the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland, the European Investment Bank and the European Investment Fund.

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.

In order to avail of the low-cost loans, the upgrade projects musts be supported by an SEAI grant and be projected to achieve a minimum 20% improvement in the energy performance (BER) of the building.

Homeowners apply for the loans through the participating finance providers. There is no requirement for the loan to be secured against the property being upgraded (as is the case with a mortgage). Once approved, the loans can be drawn before works begin. Loans are subject to the normal lending criteria, terms, and conditions of the participating finance providers.

The rates are significantly lower than those currently on the market due to the combination of a European Investment Bank (EIB) Group loan guarantee and a Government-funded interest rate subsidy.

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.

Further detail and information on the application process is available from at: sbci.gov.ie/products/home-energy-upgrade-loan-scheme

€60 million has been provided by the Government to the SBCI and the EIF to fund the "First Loss Piece" associated with the loan guarantee. However, at the conclusion of the scheme, if the cumulative guaranteed losses are lower that the First Loss Piece amount provided, that balance will be reimbursed to my Department. SBCI and EIF management/operating costs as well as the cost of the interest rate subsidy also arise under the scheme.

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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145.To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if there are plans to alter any of the SEAI subsidy levels for different elements of an energy upgrade supported under their schemes; if they are set with a target rate of percentage support of different elements; and if he is tracking the actual costs in the marketplace of these elements of work to ensure that the target level of support is maintained.[35884/24]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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My Department funds a number of schemes administered by Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) to support homeowners to improve the energy efficiency of their properties: individual energy upgrade grants under the Better Energy Homes Scheme; the National Home Energy Upgrade Scheme for an end-to-end service through One Stop Shops; and the Community Energy Grant scheme for energy efficiency upgrades as part of a community project. Fully funded upgrades are also available for qualifying households under the Warmer Homes Scheme.

It is important to note that the grants available through SEAI aim to maximise emission reductions and deliver energy savings for the widest range of homeowners possible. The grants that are available, and their respective eligibility criteria, were selected as the most likely to deliver significant energy savings to homeowners as well as the best value for money for the Exchequer.

The fixed grant rates were set following a comprehensive evaluation and consultative process led by the my Department and SEAI, including industry consultation, customer research and analysis of cost data.

In addition, SEAI continues to work to improve transparency in pricing for homeowners and now includes on its website information on median costs of works and grants for typical home energy upgrades:

www.seai.ie/grants/home-energy-grants/individual-grants/Median-costs-of-individual-energy-upgrades.pdf

www.seai.ie/grants/home-energy-grants/one-stop-shop/SEAI-OSS-Median-Costs-and-Grants.pdf

The Department and SEAI continue to keep the grant rates under review taking account of the overarching need to build a bigger home energy upgrade sector; evolving science, innovation, technology; and other relevant factors.

Cormac Devlin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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146.To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if his officials will examine a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter.[35921/24]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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My Department funds a number of schemes administered by Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) to support households and the community sector to improve the energy efficiency of their properties: individual energy upgrade grants under the Better Energy Homes Scheme; the National Home Energy Upgrade Scheme for an end-to-end service through One Stop Shops and the Community Energy Grant scheme for energy efficiency upgrades as part of a community project. There are also fully funded upgrades for qualifying households.

It is important to note that the grants available through SEAI aim to maximise emission reductions and deliver energy savings for the widest range of homeowners possible. The grants which are available, and their respective eligibility criteria, were selected as the most likely to deliver significant energy savings to homeowners as well as the best value for money for the Exchequer.

The Department and SEAI keep the grant rates and energy efficiency measures supported under review taking account of the overarching need to build a much bigger home upgrade sector; evolving science, innovation, technology and other relevant factors.

Generally, the administration and management of applications under the SEAI schemes are an operational matter for the SEAI. As Minister, I have no function with regard to individual grant applications. The SEAI has established a specific email address for queries from Oireachtas members so that such queries can be addressed promptly, in line with SEAI’s objective to deliver services to the highest standards. The email address is oireachtas@seai.ie.

However, in order to be of assistance I have forwarded the particulars of your case to SEAI for their attention and direct reply.