Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 27 January 2021
29. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of applications received by SEAI in each of the years 2017 to 2020 under the better energy warmer homes scheme; the number of inspections carried out in each year; the number of houses in which works were carried out each year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3566/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Better Energy Warmer Homes Scheme is funded by my Department and administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI). The scheme delivers a range of energy efficiency measures free of charge to low income households vulnerable to energy poverty. To date over 142,000 homes have received free upgrades under the scheme, leaving the occupants better able to afford to heat their homes to an adequate level. There are currently over 7,000 homes on the Warmer Homes Scheme work programme. This includes homes that are: currently undergoing works; have been allocated to contractors for works; have completed an initial home survey and are awaiting allocation to a contractor or are awaiting the initial survey of their home.
A total of €221.5 million in capital funding has been provided for SEAI residential and community retrofit schemes in 2021. Of this amount, €109 million is provided to support lower income households to retrofit their homes with €100 million allocated to the Warmer Homes Scheme. This represents an increase of €47 million on the 2020 allocation for energy poverty schemes and means that almost half of the total SEAI residential and community retrofit budget will support people vulnerable to energy poverty. The funding will mean that more households can receive free energy efficiency upgrades making their homes warmer, healthier and cheaper to run, in line with the Programme for Government.
The information requested by the Deputy are set out in the table below. COVID-19 negatively impacted activity in 2020, particularly between March and June when the scheme was fully paused in line with Government guidelines. The impact of the current restrictions on the scheme will be closely monitored and activity will recommence as soon as possible.
|
Warmer Homes Scheme work programme |
2017 |
2018 |
2019 |
2020 |
|
New applications |
12,863 |
7,408 |
5,682 |
2,786 |
|
Homes surveyed |
10,881 |
7,323 |
3,235 |
1,650 |
|
Homes allocated to Contractors |
8,065 |
5,328 |
2,612 |
2,833 |
|
Homes completed |
6,554 |
5,255 |
3,142 |
1,524 |
|
Inspections carried out |
1,802 |
1,625 |
1,163 |
624 |
Recommendations on the implementation of changes to the scheme to better target those most in need will be finalised shortly.
