AQW 8130/17-22 Written question to the Minister for Communities

To ask the Minister for Communities whether she is working towards introducing a scheme similar to the Green Homes Grant in England.

Asked by Stewart Dickson MLA on 5 October 2020

  • Answered
  • Written
Tabled
5 October 2020
Answer due by
20 October 2020
Answered
19 October 202014 days after tabling
Department
Department for Communities
Priority question
No

Answer

The Department of Finance has advised me the British Treasury has indicated that funding for a Green Homes Grant scheme, is to be found from existing budgets for 2020-21. This means that there is no additional funding for the Executive this year. I will continue to keep options under review.

However, my Department currently funds two grant Schemes aimed at reducing fuel poverty by increasing the energy efficiency of households; the Affordable Warmth Scheme and the Boiler Replacement Scheme.

Since the introduction of the Affordable Warmth Scheme in September 2014 a total of 34,683 energy efficiency measures have been installed in 21,027 homes, at a cost of £78.3m. A total of 37,491 boilers have been replaced under the Boiler Replacement Scheme since its introduction in 2012, at a total cost of £20.9m.

Official sources