Homeowners with defective blocks to be given access to grants to improve energy rating of homes
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The Government has announced new measures to help defective concrete block homeowners access grants after mica campaigners won seats in the local elections.
The 100% Redress Party, set up to campaign for greater supports for those impacted by mica, have taken four seats in rural County Donegal.
Environment Minister Eamon Ryan said he has "listened to homeowners" and has now announced measures that will help households availing of the Enhanced Defective Concrete Block (DCB) Scheme to also access SEAI grants to improve the energy performance of their homes.
Changes will mean that more households will be able to avail of SEAI grants of up to €37,550 to ensure that the rebuilt or renovated homes are well insulated and heated with a heat pump. This amount is in addition to the grants of up to €420,000 that are available for affected homeowners under the Enhanced DCB Scheme.
Mr Ryan said: “We have listened to homeowners in the region and heard the particular challenges they faced in accessing the SEAI grants. The Government wants to ensure that every household has the opportunity to take advantage of the green transition and benefit from homes that are warmer, healthier and more comfortable with lower energy bills and emissions.
“I hope that every homeowner impacted by Defective Concrete Blocks will avail of the SEAI grants, so they can take advantage of the vast home-grown renewable energy available in the west of Ireland and eliminate the need for expensive imported fossil fuels.”
SEAI has already contacted approximately 200 affected homeowners who previously expressed an interest in the grants and will be implementing the new approach from next month.
Under the SEAI grants people can avail of funding for a number of items including heat pumps, solar panels, insulation and windows.
Mr Ryan has also asked SEAI to work with local community groups, representatives and industry to encourage contractors to register with SEAI for energy upgrade works.
Registering as an SEAI installer is straightforward and is necessary to demonstrate to homeowners that contractors are competent to do the work in question, are insured, are tax compliant and are using the methods and materials certified by the National Standards Authority of Ireland for energy upgrade works.