Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 15 February 2022
205. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if consideration has been given to allowing persons who have had partial works completed under the warmer homes scheme to reapply for further insulation works to be carried out; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7609/22]
View answer211. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his plans to revise the warmer homes scheme operated by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland; if he can amend the scheme in order that a householder that previously availed of the scheme for an attic insulation can subsequently apply for an insulation of exterior walls; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7850/22]
View answer217. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his plans to amend the better energy warmer homes grants scheme to allow second-time applicants to apply; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8064/22]
View answer228. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if the restriction on the eligibility of persons for the warmer homes scheme that have had works done previously under the scheme has been lifted as part of the new retrofit strategy. [8220/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 205, 211, 217 and 228 together.
The Better Energy Warmer Homes Scheme delivers free energy upgrades for eligible homeowners in low income households who are most at risk of energy poverty. It is administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI). Since the start of the scheme in 2000, over 143,000 free upgrades have been supported by the scheme. In 2021, the average cost of the energy efficiency measures provided per household had increased to €17,100.
A budget allocation of €109 million has been provided for this scheme this year. This will support an increase in the number of free home upgrades, from an average of 177 per month in 2021 to 400 per month this year, helping to reduce waiting times.
My Department committed to review the qualifying criteria for the scheme and the Government has announced several revisions to the scheme. In this regard, applications may be accepted from qualifying homeowners who previously received supports under the scheme, but who could still benefit from deeper upgrade measures. This means that homeowners will not be precluded from applying for a second time for qualifying works not previously carried out on their properties.
