Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 16 September 2021
28. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if his attention has been drawn to the shortfall to some homes on scope of works being provided under the warmer homes scheme free energy upgrades; if he is satisfied that all upgrades available are being provided to homes under this scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44086/21]
View answerThe 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 lower income households vulnerable to energy poverty. To date over 143,000 homes have received free upgrades under the scheme leaving them better able to afford to heat their homes to an adequate level. The approximate average value of the energy efficiency measures provided per household was €17,100 at the end of July 2021. A range of home energy improvements can be funded under this scheme. The upgrades that are recommended for any given property depend on many factors including age, size, type and condition of the property. Each eligible home is assessed on a case-by-case basis by SEAI’s managing agent. This involves a survey of the home which determines the upgrades that can be installed and funded. The home is subsequently allocated to a contractor which carries out a further assessment of the property to confirm the initial recommendation. A programme of work is then agreed between the contractor and SEAI. Decisions in relation to the recommended upgrades made by both SEAI’s managing agent and contractors are informed by a technical operations manual.
The broad conditions for recommending works are set out in the scheme Guidelines which are available on the SEAI’s website: www.seai.ie/publications/Scheme-and-Application-Guidelines.pdf
