Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 26 September 2024
106. Deputy James O'Connor asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his plans to reduce the current waiting times for applications for the SEAI warmer homes scheme (details supplied), particularly in cases where the need is most urgent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38227/24]
View answerThe Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) operates the Warmer Homes Scheme on behalf of my Department. Delivering free energy upgrades to low-income households and reducing the waiting times for the Warmer Homes Scheme is a top priority for my Department and the SEAI. My officials work with the SEAI on an ongoing basis to accelerate the delivery of free energy upgrades provided under this critical scheme.
Last year saw a record spend of €158 million under the scheme with an allocation of almost €210 million in place for 2024. This budget includes funding from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF). The funding increases have supported the delivery of a greater volume of deeper and more complex upgrades.
These deeper upgrades mean that more lower income homeowners are benefitting significantly from warmer, healthier and more comfortable homes, with lower energy bills and reduced emissions. However, deeper retrofits take longer to complete. This improvement in the upgrades provided under the scheme in tandem with increased awareness of the multiple benefits of retrofit are driving significantly increased levels of demand.
Applications to the Scheme are assessed on the basis of when they first apply to SEAI. Homes with the worst Building Energy Ratings (E, F or G) are then prioritised for works. No other prioritisation takes place under the scheme.
The SEAI indicates that the average timeframe for a pre-works BER assessment is 12 months, though this can vary. Significant reductions in the average waiting time for works to be completed have been achieved, reducing from 26 months in 2022 to 17 months for the worst performing homes (rated E, F and G) for homes completed so far in 2024.
This has been achieved in part through the following actions taken to reduce the timeline to completion and increase output under the scheme:
• SEAI has been allocated additional staff for the Warmer Homes Scheme.
• SEAI work to increase contractor output through active contract engagement and management.
• Actions to address ongoing supply chain and inflationary pressures.
• A record budget allocation of €208.8m for 2024.
• ERDF funding of €264 million has been secured for the period 2021 until 2027 to supplement Exchequer funding for the Scheme.
• A new €700 million contractor panel has been put in place for the next 4 years, which has increased contractor capacity to 36.
Applicants can contact SEAI at any time to get further information on the status of their application either by email to warmerhomes@seai.ie or by phone to 1800 250 204. Oireachtas members can make queries on behalf of applicants by contacting the dedicated email address oireachtas@seai.ie.
The Deputy may wish to note that Government also has other schemes and supports in place which may be of assistance where there is an urgent need:
• The Department of Social Protection's Additional Needs Payment is a payment available to people who have essential expenses that they cannot pay from their weekly income. Additional Needs Payments are paid under Supplementary Welfare Allowance which is administered by the Community Welfare Service (CWS) or the Department of Social Protection. Details are available here: www.gov.ie/en/service/4eb45-additional-needs-payment/
• The Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage's Housing Adaptation Grants can assist older people to have necessary adaptations, repairs or improvement works carried out in order to make their accommodation more suitable for their needs. Details are available here: www.gov.ie/en/service/6636c-housing-adaptation-grants-for-older-people-and-people-with-a-disability/
