Claire Kerrane (Roscommon-Galway, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

72. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if his attention has been drawn to delays for applicants of the warmer homes scheme; if he has been in touch with the SEAI; the action being taken to tackle these delays; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5650/21]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Better Energy Warmer Homes Scheme is funded by my Department and administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI). The scheme delivers a range of energy efficiency measures free of charge to low income households vulnerable to energy poverty. To date over 142,000 homes have received free upgrades under the scheme, leaving the occupants better able to afford to heat their homes to an adequate level.There are currently over 7,000 homes on the Warmer Homes Scheme work programme. This includes homes that are:

- currently undergoing works;

- have been allocated to contractors for works;

- have completed an initial home survey and are awaiting allocation to a contractor,

- or are awaiting the initial survey of their home.

Eligible homes are allocated on a first come, first served basis, and the average time between application and allocation to a contractor is now 23 months. The wait time is a result of strong demand for what is an extremely popular scheme. Wait times were also impacted by changes to the scheme introduced in 2018 which expanded and enhanced the range of energy efficiency measures available as well as an extension of eligibility rules.

Unfortunately, COVID-19 related restrictions have also impacted waiting times under the scheme. Works are currently suspended in line with the public health measures in place under Level 5 as announced by Government on 6 January. Works will recommence as soon as the public health advice allows. SEAI's Covid-19 Notice can be found at the following Link:

Budget 2021 provided €109 million in capital funding to support lower income households to retrofit their homes with €100 million of this funding allocated to the Warmer Homes Scheme. This represents a €47 million increase on the 2020 allocation and is the highest ever budget for this scheme. In addition to the increased budget, capacity by the industry to deliver more activity has also increased due to a new, broader contractor panel to provide works which commenced at the end of 2020. I also secured additional resources this year to expand the capacity of the SEAI to allow it drive the various grant programmes that it operates, including the Warmer Homes Scheme, and to ensure that level of activity envisaged under the Programme for Government is delivered. My Department is also in regular contact with the SEAI at official level in relation to the operation of the Scheme.

Recommendations on the implementation of changes to the scheme to better target those most in need will also be finalised shortly.