Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 18 October 2022
204. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications in relation to Question 131 of October 6 2022, if he will provide the actual timeframe for work being completed / commenced and the number of applicants awaiting the work to be done, as distinct from the approval time for any work (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51573/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) administers a range of grant schemes to support homeowners to improve the energy efficiency of their properties. Grants of up to 50% are now available for individuals who can afford to contribute to the cost of upgrades as well as free energy efficiency retrofits for people at risk of energy poverty.Delivering free energy upgrades to low-income households and reducing the waiting times on the Warmer Homes Scheme waiting list is a top priority for my Department and SEAI. In order to reduce this timeline to completion and target a monthly average of 400 completions this year, the following actions have already been taken:
- The budget, at €109 million, is nearly three times the 2021 outturn (€38 million) and funding has also been sought through the European Regional Development Fund;
- SEAI has been allocated additional staff for the Warmer Homes Scheme;
- SEAI is working to increase contractor output through active contract engagement and management.Latest data provided to my Department by the SEAI indicates that, for homes completed in 2022 under the Warmer Homes Scheme, the longest time waiting for a survey is 9 months, and the average cycle time from application to completion is 27 months. In recent years, cycle times have been affected by COVID related issues. In addition, there are deeper measures being provided under the Scheme since 2018, which involve more substantive works. At present, there is approximately 9,600 applicants on the Warmer Homes Scheme work programme.The previous question 49201/22 from the Deputy asked for the number of applicants who are currently awaiting approval for works.
The Better Energy Homes Scheme and Solar PV Scheme are demand-led schemes which require homeowners to procure their own contractor following grant approval from SEAI (this approval process is instantaneous once all requirements for the SEAI grant application portal are met by applicants). Latest figures from SEAI show that under the Better Energy Homes Scheme the average cycle time for applications that were received and completed in 2022 is 3.6 months and 6 months for applications completed in 2022. While for the Solar PV Scheme the figures are 4.2 months for applications received and completed in 2022 and 5.5 months for applications completed in 2022. Applications prior to this year were more likely to be impacted by Covid with respect to their timeline to completion. Under the National Home Energy Home Upgrade Scheme and Community Energy Grant Scheme, homeowners engage a registered One Stop Shop or Project Co-ordinator, respectively, to manage the grant application process and oversee delivery of the retrofit on their behalf. Works must be completed under these schemes within 12 months.
