Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 7 November 2024
13. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of retrofits completed as part of the SEAI retrofitting schemes; the pre and post-BER post retrofit; the average cost to retrofit, 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. [45631/24]
View answerThe Climate Action Plan and National Retrofit Plan set ambitious targets to retrofit the equivalent of 500,000 homes to a Building Energy Rating (BER) of B2/cost optimal and the installation of 400,000 heat pumps in existing homes to replace older, less efficient heating systems by end-2030.
In 2022 an enhanced package of SEAI retrofit supports was introduced which saw significant increases in grant supports for energy efficiency measures. As a result, demand across the SEAI residential and community energy upgrade schemes has been exceptionally high.
Data from SEAI shows that in the period 2020 to end-October 2024 almost 152,000 property upgrades have been supported through the residential and community energy upgrade schemes, including the Solar PV scheme. Of these, almost 51,200 have been upgraded to a post works building energy rating of B2 or better.
With regard to the data sought by the Deputy, it should also be noted that in line with the respective terms and conditions of the various SEAI energy efficiency schemes, not all homeowners are required to have a pre-works Building Energy Rating (BER) to qualify for grant support:
Better Energy Homes and Solar PV Schemes: homeowners are not required to have a pre-works Building Energy Rating (BER) to qualify for grant support, and for this reason the BER data requested is not available for homes upgraded under these schemes.
• Better Energy Warmer Homes Scheme: Pre-works BER data is only available from 2023.
• National Home Energy Upgrade Scheme and Community Energy Grant Scheme: A pre-works BER is required for all homes.
Regarding the cost of a retrofit/home energy upgrade, this 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 and the costs will vary accordingly.
Under the Better Energy Homes, Solar PV, National Home Energy Upgrade and Communities schemes, works costs are based on declarations from the 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 costs figures which will be provided by SEAI 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. Under the Warmer Homes scheme, the energy upgrade works are fully Exchequer funded.
Further information on expenditure and output and associated costs for each SEAI Retrofit programme for 2023 and Quarter 1 2024 can also be found on the SEAI website at:
www.seai.ie/publications/SEAI-Retrofit-Full-Year-Report-2023.pdf
www.seai.ie/sites/default/files/2024-09/SEAI-Retrofit-Mid-Year-Report-2024_0.pdf
The requested breakdown of the pre-BER and post-BER rating of homes retrofitted as part of the SEAI retrofitting programme, and the average cost to retrofit broken down by SEAI scheme in 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and to date in 2024, in tabular form is not routinely supplied by SEAI to my Department.
I have directed SEAI to reply directly to the Deputy with the data requested, in so far as it is available, as soon as possible.
