Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 14 July 2022
222. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the current waiting times for each of the retrofitting schemes available in the State, by county; the number waiting on each waiting list and scheme in each county, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39477/22]
View answerThe Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) administers a range of grant schemes to support homeowners to improve the energy efficiency of their properties. Grants of up to 50% are now available for individuals who can afford to contribute to the cost of upgrades as well as free energy efficiency retrofits for people at risk of energy poverty. €118 million has been allocated to the energy poverty schemes which are directly provided by contractors procured by SEAI. There are currently just over 9,600 homeowners on the Warmer Homes Scheme work programme. The number of homes on the Warmer Homes Scheme waiting list by county at the end of June 2022 is set out in the table below.
COVID-19 related restrictions in 2020 and 2021 negatively impacted wait times under the Energy Poverty Schemes. COVID cases are continuing to impact works on the schemes, both on the Contractors’ and Customers’ side.
It is important to note that the SEAI received over 5,000 applications for the Warmer Homes Scheme to the end of June this year, compared with 2,874 for the whole of 2021. The increased publicity around the launch of the new SEAI National Home Energy Upgrade Scheme and revisions to the Warmer Homes Scheme, together with increased energy costs, are driving demand for this critical Scheme.
In addition, the deeper measures being provided under the Warmer Homes Scheme result in upgrades taking longer to complete. In 2021, the average cost of the energy efficiency measures provided per household had increased to €17,620 reflecting the significant works being carried out.
SEAI data indicates that, for homes completed in 2022, the average cycle time from application to completion was 28 months for the Warmer Homes Scheme and the Warmth and Wellbeing Scheme. That average wait time is a function of the level of disruption caused byCOVID-19.The Warmth and Wellbeing Scheme is confined to specific areas of Dublin.
Delivering free energy upgrades to low-income households and reducing the waiting times on the Warmer Homes Scheme waiting list is a top priority for my Department and SEAI. 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.
Delivery under the Warmer Homes Scheme remains a top priority for the Minister and SEAI.
Other SEAI schemes require homeowners to procure their own contractor or One Stop Shops secure approval from SEAI and draw down a grant once the works are completed.
For Better Energy Homes and Solar PV Schemes completion times are within the control of the homeowner. However, works must be completed within an 8-month period, starting from the date of grant approval. Under the new National Home Energy Upgrade Scheme, homeowners will engage a registered One Stop Shop to manage the grant application process and oversee delivery of the retrofit on their behalf. Works must be completed under this scheme within 12 months.
|
County |
No. of Homes |
|
Carlow |
114 |
|
Cavan |
95 |
|
Clare |
193 |
|
Cork |
1,014 |
|
Donegal |
360 |
|
Dublin |
2,697 |
|
Galway |
535 |
|
Kerry |
299 |
|
Kildare |
355 |
|
Kilkenny |
130 |
|
Laois |
148 |
|
Leitrim |
78 |
|
Limerick |
348 |
|
Longford |
70 |
|
Louth |
187 |
|
Mayo |
507 |
|
Meath |
340 |
|
Monaghan |
116 |
|
Offaly |
197 |
|
Roscommon |
173 |
|
Sligo |
172 |
|
Tipperary |
392 |
|
Waterford |
206 |
|
Westmeath |
170 |
|
Wexford |
345 |
|
Wicklow |
376 |
|
Total |
9,617 |
Question No. 223 answered with Question No. 201.
