Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 10 February 2022
216. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of staff employed at the SEAI for processing home energy upgrades and grant applications; his plans to conduct a recruitment campaign within the SEAI to deal with the current backlog of applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7352/22]
View answerIt is worth noting at the outset that the backlog that relates to the Better Energy Warmer Homes Scheme is largely a function of the disruption caused by the pandemic over the course of 2020 and 2021 where it was not possible to gain access to properties to carry out surveys and works for extended periods. SEAI has informed the Department that it expects the situation to improve significantly during this year with close to 400 homes targeted for completion per month, compared to 171 in 2021. This will be aided by the recent expansion of the contractor panel.
While a cohort of staff within SEAI are involved in a range of administrative functions that support schemes, the agency is also assisted by a service provider that provides front-end customer service.
SEAI are enhancing their staffing levels this year consistent with a scaling up of capacity to support the significant policy developments announced recently. Up to 50 additional staff are likely to be employed by the agency by the end of 2022 bringing staffing levels close to 190.
