Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, Solidarity)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

292. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government the estimated number of home retrofits to B2 standard or above that could be carried out for an investment of €2 billion. [43566/25]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Government has put in place a range of improved supports as part of the delivery of Ireland’s residential retrofit programme. These measures, across the Sustainable Energy of Ireland (SEAI) part-funded and fully funded residential and community energy efficiency upgrade schemes, 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 shows, during the period 2019 to date, capital funding of over €1.4 billion has supported 213,000 energy upgrades through the SEAI residential and community energy efficiency upgrade schemes. Of these, over 69,000 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 and energy objectives.

The cost of a retrofit to bring a property to a post works Building Energy Rating of B2 depends on a range of factors including 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, with the costs will vary accordingly.

Given this range of variables associated with home energy upgrades it is, therefore, not possible to provide a single figure estimate of the overall number of home retrofits to a B2 standard that can be delivered for a budget spend of €2 billion.

Data provided by the SEAI shows that, for properties upgraded through the One Stop Shops under the National Home Energy Upgrade Scheme in 2024, the median cost of works was €63,600 and the median grant was €21,649 for a private home to bring a dwelling from a Building Energy Rating of D2 to A2.

It is, however, important to note that 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 works costs may be in excess of the costs relating to the retrofit works only. The amounts paid out per grant-aided measure by the SEAI are fixed irrespective of the costs declared.

The SEAI publish quarterly reports which provide more detail in relation to the retrofits carried out and the associated costs under SEAI schemes. The SEAI Full Year Report for 2024 can be found on the SEAI website at: www.seai.ie/sites/default/files/publications/SEAI-Retrofit-Full-Year-Report-2024.pdf