Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 16 May 2023
169. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the percentage of successful applicants for the warmer homes scheme that come from each qualifying social welfare scheme, in tabular form. [22665/23]
View answerThe Better Energy Warmer Homes Scheme delivers a range of energy efficiency measures free of charge to low-income households vulnerable to energy poverty. To date over 150,000 homes have received free upgrades under the scheme, leaving the occupants better able to afford to heat their homes to an adequate level. The primary aim of the scheme is to provide upgrades to those living in, or at risk of, energy poverty. The depth of upgrade has increased significantly in recent years as evidenced by the average value of upgrades completed during Q1 of 2023 at €24,000.
Increased awareness of the improvements to the Warmer Homes Scheme and the multiple benefits of retrofit 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.
The shares of eligible applicants for the Warmer Homes Scheme per qualifying social welfare scheme for applications received in Quarter 1 2023 are set out below.
|
Qualifying Payment |
Share of Applications in Q1 2023 |
|
Carers Allowance, and live with person you are caring for |
9% |
|
Disability Allowance for more than 6 months, and child under 7 |
<1% |
|
Domiciliary Care Allowance |
6% |
|
Fuel Allowance |
81% |
|
Job Seekers Allowance for more than 6 months, and child under 7 |
<1% |
|
One Parent Family Payment |
<1% |
|
Working Family Payment |
3% |
