The Green Party has called on Government to make funding available to the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI ) so that it can continue to fund energy upgrades of existing buildings. The call comes in response to SEAI informing applicants that it is suspending the scheme as well as consideration of applications for funding previously received.
Green Party councillor Louise Heavin, who was in the process of applying for the grant, said: “We are in the situation where we have had to completely rethink because we simply won’t be able to afford what we had planned for. To be eligible, you have to upgrade the insulation, the heating system, and the air tightness. Without the grant this will now be financially unattainable for huge numbers of people who are now left in limbo, often with structural preparation for the project already begun.”
Cllr Heavin, who is a qualified architect, added: “We are hopeful that this decision is reversed for all those affected and that the scheme is instead extended. Finance needs to be available in some form to help people move towards zero energy homes, we need to think about the future environmental and financial benefits of enabling Ireland to escape the fossil fuel trap.”
