The Better Energy Warmer Homes Scheme delivers a range of energy efficiency measures free of charge to low-income households vulnerable to energy poverty. It is administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI). Since the beginning of the roll-out of energy poverty schemes, over 145,000 homes have received free upgrades. The average cost of the energy efficiency measures provided per household has increased significantly over time to €17,620 in 2021. Activity under the scheme, and the associated expenditure, were significantly impacted in both 2020 and 2021 by the COVID pandemic, when construction activity was paused for approximately 12 months in total. SEAI data indicates that for homes completed in 2021, the average cycle time from application to completion was approximately 27 months. While this delay was largely driven by COVID related issues, the deeper measures being provided under the scheme, also involve more substantive works.
This is a top priority for my Department and SEAI and in order to reduce this timeline to completion and target a monthly average of 400 completions this year, the following actions have already been taken:
- The budget, at €109 million, is nearly three times the 2021 outturn (€38 million) and funding has also been sought through the European Regional Development Fund;
- SEAI has been allocated additional staff for the Warmer Homes Scheme;
- SEAI is working to Increase contractor output through active contract engagement and management.
There are currently just over 6,000 homes awaiting works on the Better Energy 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.
The following tables set out the number of completions achieved on a monthly basis in 2021 and 2022 and the yearly numbers from 2017 onwards.
2021 Warmer Homes
|
Jan
|
Feb
|
Mar
|
Apr
|
May
|
Jun
|
Jul
|
Aug
|
Sept
|
Oct
|
Nov
|
Dec
|
Total
|
|
36
|
8
|
46
|
110
|
151
|
246
|
211
|
194
|
302
|
254
|
288
|
320
|
2,126
|
2022 Warmer Homes
|
Jan
|
Feb
|
Mar
|
Apr
|
May
|
Jun
|
Jul
|
Aug
|
Sept
|
Oct
|
Nov
|
Dec
|
Total
|
|
193
|
244
|
320
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
757
|
Warmer Homes
|
2017
|
2018
|
2019
|
2020
|
2021
|
|
6,554
|
5,255
|
3,142
|
1,524
|
2,126
|
