Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 21 May 2024
147. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to provide the number of people currently waiting on a BER assessment and the length of time each has been waiting, by local area, in tabular form. [22434/24]
View answer148. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the amount of time individuals are expected to wait before receiving a BER assessment; if his attention has been drawn towards instances of excessively long waiting periods; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22435/24]
View answer153. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the current waiting times for a BER assessment, by scheme and local area, in tabular form. [22501/24]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 147, 148 and 153 together.
The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) operates the Warmer Homes Scheme on behalf of my Department. Delivering free energy upgrades to low-income households and reducing the waiting times for the Warmer Homes Scheme is a top priority for my Department and the SEAI.
Applications are assessed on the basis of when they first apply to SEAI. Homes with the worst Building Energy Ratings (E, F or G) are then prioritised for works. The requirement for a pre-works BER was introduced for applications made since February 2022. This was in order to allow SEAI to prioritise the worst-performing homes and to gather more information about the impact of the upgrades being provided.
SEAI advise that it can take 8 - 10 months from date of application to the pre-works BER assessment. Data on waiting times for pre-BER assessments at county level is not routinely compiled by the SEAI. There are 9,121 homes currently awaiting a per-works BER. SEAI has published up to date average waiting times for each stage of the scheme on their website which can be found here: www.seai.ie/grants/home-energy-grants/fully-funded-upgrades-for-eligible-homes/
For the homes completed in 2023, the average waiting time from application to completion of works was 20 months. This is a reduction from 26 months for homes completed in 2022. The significant reductions in the average waiting time have been achieved through, inter alia, the following actions taken to reduce the timeline to completion and increase output under the scheme:
• Record funding has been allocated;
• SEAI has been allocated additional staff for the Warmer Homes Scheme;
• SEAI has worked to increase contractor output through active contract engagement and management;
• Actions were taken to address ongoing supply chain and inflationary pressures; and
• A new €700 million contractor panel has been put in place for the next 4 years, which has increased contractor capacity to 36.
My officials continue to work closely with the SEAI to maximise and accelerate the output of free energy upgrades provided under this important scheme.
