Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 15 June 2023
99. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of applications received in the first quarter of 2023 for Cork County under the SEAI Free Energy Upgrades; the current timeline from surveyor allocation to contractor allocation on these applications received for Cork county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28853/23]
View answerThe Better Energy Warmer Homes Scheme (WHS) 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 Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) operates the scheme on behalf of my Department. Delivering free energy upgrades to low-income households, as quickly as possible, is a top priority for my Department and the SEAI. An unprecedented budget of €148.5 million has been allocated to the scheme this year which will deliver 6,000 home upgrades.
In the first quarter of 2023, 4,407 applications were received under the scheme. A breakdown of applications on a per county basis is not routinely supplied by SEAI to my Department. In 2022, 4,438 fully funded upgrades for low-income households were completed, an increase of 85% on 2021, 424 of these homes were in Cork. For homes completed in 2022 the average time between application and completion was 26 months.
The average waiting times from application to completion for homes completed in the first quarter of 2023 was 21 months. This reduction in the average waiting time has been supported by actions taken by the SEAI and my Department to reduce the timeline to completion and increase output under the scheme.
My Officials continue to work with the SEAI to maximise and accelerate output of free energy upgrades delivered. Importantly, a new contractor panel for the scheme will be established later this year. It is intended that the panel will be in place for 4 years, with an estimated contract budget of €700 million for that period, which will be a very strong signal of intent for the market.
The Deputy may wish to note that Oireachtas members can make queries about SEAI schemes by contacting the dedicated email address oireachtas@seai.ie.
