Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 7 March 2023
164. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of homes upgraded under SEAI energy poverty schemes on an annual basis from 2015 to 2022; if he will provide a breakdown of works undertaken under those schemes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10882/23]
Amharc ar fhreagra165. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of live applications for the better energy warmer homes scheme; the average waiting time for an application to be assessed, both countrywide and by county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10883/23]
Amharc ar fhreagra168. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of applications for the SEAI warmer homes grant; the current average length of time persons are waiting for SEAI warmer homes grant works; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10886/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 164, 165 and 168 together.
The 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.
There are currently over 12,000 homes on the Warmer Homes Scheme work programme. Over 9,900 applications were received in 2022 and a further 2,000 have already been received in 2023 to end February. 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.
For homes completed in 2022 the average time from application to completion was 26 months. This was an improvement of 1 month on the average waiting time for homes completed in 2021. The monthly target of an average of 400 completions has been met since June 2022. For 2023, an unprecedented budget of €148.5 million has been allocated to the scheme which will deliver 6,000 additional home upgrades.
The table below shows the number of homes completed and the average cost per home since 2015. As is evident from the table, spending under this scheme has ramped up significantly in recent years. The investment per home is providing a deeper upgrade and a significant improvement in energy performance. As such, it is of much more benefit to the homeowner.
|
Year |
Homes upgraded |
Average cost per home |
|
2015 |
6,645 |
€2,600 |
|
2016 |
6,839 |
€3,000 |
|
2017 |
6,549 |
€3,450 |
|
2018 |
5,218 |
€6,757 |
|
2019 |
3,138 |
€12,671 |
|
2020 |
1,510 |
€15,350 |
|
2021 |
2,123 |
€17,100 |
|
2022 |
4,438* |
€22,000 |
*Includes homes completed as close out of Warmth and Wellbeing pilot scheme.
