Alan Kelly
Ceist:36. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of retrofits completed, per month, under the warmer homes scheme in 2023, in tabular form. [51344/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraWednesday, 22 November 2023
Ceisteanna (36)
Freagraí scríofa
The Better Energy Warmer Homes Scheme is a top priority for the Government delivering a range of energy efficiency measures free of charge to low-income households vulnerable to energy poverty. The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) operates the scheme on behalf of my Department. The budget allocation for the scheme this year is over €148 million.
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 is evidenced by the increase in application numbers with over 9,900 applications received in 2022 and over 10,000 additional applications received up until the end of August this year.
It should also 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.
A range of have been introduced by the Department and SEAI to support the Scheme, including enhanced budgets; increased staffing resources in SEAI; and, actions to address supply chain challenges.
Over 4,500 homes have been upgraded this year to end October, an average of over 450 homes per month. The scheme is working towards upgrading 6,000 homes by the end of the year.
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.
SEAI established a new contractor panel in September of this year, adding 7 additional contractors bringing the total to 36. This should further increase capacity under the scheme.
My officials continue to work with the SEAI to maximise and accelerate output of free energy upgrades.
Warmer Homes Scheme
Monthly Breakdown of Property Upgrade Completions in 2023
|
Month |
Property Upgrades |
|
January |
197 |
|
February |
269 |
|
March |
480 |
|
April |
374 |
|
May |
692 |
|
June |
334 |
|
July |
785 |
|
August |
303 |
|
September |
735 |
|
October |
344 |
|
Total |
4,513 |