Just half retrofit-grant homes pass inspection [Video]

Only around half of homes retrofitted under two Government grant schemes, which have cost over €500m so far, are passing their first inspection, a report has found, writes Brian Mahon.

Earlier this year, the Comptroller and Auditor General (C&AG) published a report into the effectiveness and efficiency of the two grant schemes to help retrofit homes.

The Better Energy Warmer Homes scheme supports low income families at risk of energy poverty with free upgrades to make their homes energy efficient, and is 100% funded through Government grants.

It cost €306m between 2013 and 2022 and covered 55,000 homes.

The Better Energy Homes scheme is a national retrofitting programme available to all homeowners, including landlords, and is not means-tested.

It has covered 130,000 grants to the value of €176m.

Overall, around 38,000 homes were inspected over the period from 2013 to 2022 – around 20% of the total homes that benefited from the schemes, which …