Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 24 March 2021
244. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of SEAI warmer homes grants that were approved in 2019, by county; the waiting time in 2019 for a surveyor to be allocated; the subsequent waiting time for work to commence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15008/21]
View answerThe Better Energy Warmer Homes Scheme delivers a range of energy efficiency measures free of charge to low income households vulnerable to energy poverty. To date, over 143,000 homes have received free upgrades under the scheme. There are currently over 8,000 homes on the scheme work programme. This includes homes that: are currently undergoing works; have been allocated to contractors for works; completed an initial home survey and are awaiting allocation to a contractor or are awaiting an initial survey.
3,142 homes were completed under the scheme in 2019, with the majority of these relating to applications made in 2018. The average time from application date to a surveyor to be allocated over this period was 4 months and the average time from surveyor allocated to works allocated was 2 months. The average value of works carried out in 2019 was €12,000. In comparison to 2020 a greater proportion of homes were receiving shallower works in 2019, which contributed to the shorter application cycle time and lower average cost.
Funding for the SEAI energy poverty retrofit schemes has increased to over €109 million in 2021 - an increase of €47 million on last year. In addition, delivery capacity has increased due to a new, broader contractor panel that commenced at the end of 2020. I have also secured additional resources this year to expand the capacity of the SEAI to deliver the scheme.
The table below sets out the number of applications approved and completed homes per county in 2019.
2019 Warmer Homes Scheme work programme
|
County |
Applications approved |
Homes completed* |
|
Carlow |
58 |
67 |
|
Cavan |
85 |
44 |
|
Clare |
90 |
68 |
|
Cork |
575 |
223 |
|
Donegal |
307 |
162 |
|
Dublin |
1605 |
651 |
|
Galway |
289 |
172 |
|
Kerry |
183 |
84 |
|
Kildare |
193 |
103 |
|
Kilkenny |
64 |
59 |
|
Laois |
69 |
63 |
|
Leitrim |
93 |
41 |
|
Limerick |
170 |
121 |
|
Longford |
67 |
37 |
|
Louth |
129 |
115 |
|
Mayo |
258 |
196 |
|
Meath |
195 |
90 |
|
Monaghan |
63 |
42 |
|
Offaly |
102 |
51 |
|
Roscommon |
113 |
56 |
|
Sligo |
104 |
59 |
|
Tipperary |
165 |
85 |
|
Waterford |
156 |
179 |
|
Westmeath |
129 |
78 |
|
Wexford |
245 |
178 |
|
Wicklow |
175 |
118 |
|
Total |
5682 |
3,142 |
*The majority of homes completed in 2019 were from applications made in 2018.
