To ask the Minister for Communities, in addition to the current schemes available, to outline her plans to ensure social and private homes are properly insulated to reduce energy costs.

Improving the energy efficiency of our homes is a vital part of addressing fuel poverty and carbon reduction. Cavity wall insulation is recognised as a cost-effective way to reduce home energy bills, improve thermal comfort, and contribute to lower carbon emissions.

My Officials are currently in the early stages of developing a new fuel poverty energy efficiency scheme that will aim to assist low-income owner occupiers and households in the private rented sector. This new scheme will align with the Energy and Green Growth Strategies, Climate Change Act and support the principles of the new Fuel Poverty Strategy. Insulation will be considered as a priority along with other energy efficiency and decarbonisation measures within the design of the new scheme.

In relation to social homes, the Housing Executive has provided the following input.

“The Housing Executive acknowledges that the thermal performance of its stock is poor and believes that the answer to this is a Fabric First approach to energy efficiency that focuses on better insulating its homes.

At present NIHE are addressing the insulation of stock in a number of ways:

Upgrading loft insulation in tandem with replacement of heating systems

NIHE have just completed an external wall insulation (EWI) programme for 1,400 of its non-traditionally constructed properties via the Energy Efficiency in Social Housing programme that was part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund, and are following this with a small EWI programme as funding permits

Developed an initial cavity wall insulation (CWI) remediation/replacement programme of some 9,000 dwellings that will be delivered over the next three years in a drive to address instances where the condition of the CWI is having a detrimental impact on the structure of a property.

The first schemes in NIHE’s innovative 300 Low Carbon Retrofit Programme have recently started on site and will involve the installation of new CWI along with other energy efficiency measures in some 300-400 homes in a number of locations across Northern Ireland by the end of 2024/25.