Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 7 November 2023
142. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications what additional funding was allocated to the warmer homes scheme in Budget 2024; and the estimated time this additional funding will shorten the current waiting list for the scheme. [47371/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 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.
Increased awareness of the multiple benefits of retrofit and improvements to the Warmer Homes Scheme are driving increased levels of demand for the scheme. The average waiting time from application to completion in Q3 2023 was just under 20 months. This is a decrease from an average of 26 months for homes completed in 2022.
The reduction in wait times follows a range of measures introduced by the Department and SEAI including enhanced budgets; increased staffing resources in SEAI; and actions to address supply chain challenges. Over 4,000 homes have been upgraded this year to end-September. My officials continue to work with the SEAI to maximise and accelerate output of free energy upgrades delivered.
Budget 2024 includes record funding of €380 million across all SEAI residential and community energy upgrade schemes, including the Solar PV (photovoltaic) Scheme meaning that more funding than ever will be available to make homes warmer, healthier, more comfortable and less expensive to heat. This will be supplemented by additional funding from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) to support next year’s programme of energy upgrades for households at risk of energy poverty.
The final details of the funding allocations to each SEAI scheme and the 2024 retrofit targets are currently being finalised as part of preparation of the Revised Estimates Volume for 2024 (REV 2024) and the 2024 SEAI business planning process.
