Seán Crowe
Ceist:207. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the current average waiting time for the home surveys that are required to access SEAI free energy upgrades. [35448/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThursday, 13 July 2023
Ceisteanna (207)
Freagraí scríofa
The Better Energy Warmer Homes Scheme 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. The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) operates the scheme on behalf of my Department. Delivering free energy upgrades to low-income households and 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 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 8,000 applications received up until the end of June 2023.
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 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 applications.
Currently the average waiting times from application to home survey is approximately 9 months.
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 will be established later this year. 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 will be a very strong signal of commitment.