Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 20 September 2023
44. Deputy Charles Flanagan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the measures that are being taken to improve the waiting times for those availing of works under the free energy upgrade scheme (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39862/23]
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. 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.
Increased awareness of the multiple benefits of retrofit and improvements to the upgrades delivered under the Warmer Homes Scheme are driving increased levels of demand for the scheme. This can be seen in application numbers with over 9,900 applications received in 2022 and over 10,000 additional applications received up until the end of August this year.
It should be noted that the scheme has been delivering a greater volume of deeper and more complex upgrades in recent years. This is reflected in the average cost of upgrades which have increased from €2,600 in 2015 to €24,000 in 2023. The increase in depth of retrofit is also reflected in the waiting times as more significant works take a longer time per home to complete. It also is important to note that the scheme was also impacted significantly by construction sector closures and restrictions on home visits associated with COVID-19 in recent years which resulted in a build up of a backlog of applications.
To date in 2023, almost 3,500 homes have been upgraded. The average waiting time from application to completion in Q2 2023 was approximately 19 months. This is a decrease from an average of 26 months for homes completed in 2022. The significant reductions in the average waiting time has been achieved in part through the following actions taken to reduce the timeline to completion and increase output under the scheme:
• SEAI has been allocated additional staff for the Warmer Homes Scheme;
• A significantly increased budget allocation;
• SEAI work to increase contractor output through active contract engagement and management;
• Actions to address ongoing supply chain and inflationary pressures.
My Officials continue to work with the SEAI to maximise and accelerate output of free energy upgrades delivered. An unprecedented budget of €148.5 million has been allocated to the scheme this year which will deliver 6,000 home upgrades. Additional funding of €264 million has also been secured for the scheme from the European Regional Development Fund and will supplement the annual allocations over the period from now until 2027. Importantly, a new contractor panel for the scheme was recently established. 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 is a very strong signal of commitment.
