I propose to take Questions Nos. 33 and 42 together.
The Better Energy Warmer Homes Scheme delivers a range of energy efficiency measures free of charge to low-income households vulnerable to energy poverty. The primary aim of the scheme is to provide upgrades to those living in, or at risk of, energy poverty.
The scheme is available to people in receipt of certain qualifying payments from the Department of Social Protection. Data on the qualifying payment for each applicant is collected under the scheme. In the case of means tested payments, this gives an indication of the income of the households.
Increased awareness of the multiple benefits of retrofit and improvements to the Warmer Homes Scheme are driving demand for the scheme. This can be seen in application numbers with over 9,900 applications received in 2022 and 4,407 applications received in the first three months of 2023 alone. In 2022, the average cost of the energy efficiency measures provided per household had increased significantly to €22,000. A budget allocation of €148 million has been provided for this scheme this year, which will support an increased output of 6,000 upgrades.
Following a review of the Scheme a number of changes were announced in February 2022 including a decision to commence the collection of both pre and post works Building Energy Ratings (BER). The primary purpose of this is to improve targeting of the scheme to those most in need. The scheme now prioritises those homes rated E, F or G for retrofitting.
The impact of these upgrades for recipients can include:
• improved energy performance of the home resulting in a reduction in the amount of energy needed to heat, ventilate and light their home to an adequate level;
• reduction in the home’s overall energy demand and the relative amount that the household must spend on energy;
• a warmer and more comfortable home;
• health and wellbeing improvements that can be attained through retrofitting including lower rates of respiratory diseases and improved mental health and wellbeing;
• improved asset value of the home.
The Government’s Energy Poverty Action Plan outlines a programme of research which will examine the distributional effects of the current schemes for retrofitting. The provision of pre works BERs will be an important input into this work which will be carried out by the ESRI. This will also address recommendations identified in the Irish Government Economic and Evaluation Service Social Impact Assessment referred to in the Question.
