Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 12 December 2023
154. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications what measures are being taken to reduce the current wait times, currently in excess of 20 months, on works completing from applications made on free energy upgrades under the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55007/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Better Energy Warmer Homes Scheme delivers a range of energy efficiency measures free of charge to households vulnerable to energy poverty. This year's budget of €148.5 million is the highest ever.
Increased awareness of the multiple benefits of retrofit and improvements to the Warmer Homes Scheme is driving increased levels of demand for the scheme with over 23,000 applications received over the period from January 2022 to end November 2023.
The Scheme is delivering deeper upgrades with more emissions reductions and energy savings for homeowners. The average cost of upgrades increased to €24,000 in 2023 and these deeper upgrades take a longer time per home to complete.
The average waiting time from application to completion for homes completed to date in 2023 was 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.
SEAI also established a new contractor panel in September this year, with expanded capacity.
To end November this year, over 5,300 homes have been upgraded. This is already more homes than were completed under the scheme in all of 2022 when a total of 4,438 homes were completed. SEAI is on target to upgrade 6,000 homes under the scheme by the end of this year.
My officials continue to work with the SEAI to maximise and accelerate the output of free energy upgrades delivered.
