Pa Daly (Kerry, Sinn Fein)
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204. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he will provide the average cost to retrofit a home to a BER B2 or higher standard from 2019 to 2024 and to date in 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11951/25]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail)
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The Climate Action Plan set ambitious targets to retrofit, by 2030, the equivalent of 500,000 homes to a Building Energy Rating (BER) of B2/cost optimal and install 400,000 heat pumps in existing homes to replace older, less efficient heating systems.

The Government has put in place a range of improved supports as part of the delivery of Ireland’s residential retrofit programme. These measures are 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.

Data from the SEAI show, during the period 2019 to date, almost 194,500 energy upgrades have been supported through the SEAI residential and community energy efficiency upgrade schemes. Of these, over 61,000 were to a BER B2 level or higher. However, it is important to note that upgrades that do not achieve a B2 are still improving the performance of the home and, therefore, contribute towards the achievement of our climate objectives.

SEAI data on the average cost to retrofit a home to a BER B2 under its various residential and community energy efficiency upgrade schemes is set out in the table at the link below.

It is important to note that the costs of a retrofit/home energy upgrade depend on a range of factors which include the size and type of home, as well as the age and starting condition of the property and the retrofitting works required or recommended. Depending on the scheme, the retrofit can consist of a single energy efficiency measure, multiple measures or a whole home upgrade to B2 or better, and the costs will vary accordingly.

Furthermore, the works costs are based on declarations from homeowners and contractors. The costs can vary depending on the factors outlined above. Additionally, homeowners may carry out non-grant aided/non energy related works as part of the same upgrade. Therefore, the average costs may be in excess of the costs relating to the retrofit works only. The amounts paid out per grant-aided measure by SEAI are fixed irrespective of the costs declared.

In addition, the 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.

A record capital budget of €550 million for the SEAI residential and community energy upgrade schemes has been allocated for 2025 which will support over 64,500 home energy upgrades. In addition, a budget of €90 million will be provided by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage for the Local Authority Energy Efficiency Retrofit Programme.

The SEAI publish quarterly reports which provide more detail in relation to the retrofits carried out and the associated costs under SEAI schemes. The Quarter 4 2024 Report will be published by the SEAI on their website shortly.

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