Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 25 November 2025
174. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the average waiting time for a decision on a warmer homes scheme application; the reason for this length of time; if steps will be taken by both his Department and SEAI to reduce it; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [66168/25]
View answerThe Warmer Homes Scheme aims to improve the energy efficiency and warmth of homes owned by people at risk of energy poverty by providing fully funded retrofits. The scheme is operated by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) on behalf of my Department and is funded through carbon tax receipts and the European Regional Development Fund.
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 45,712 applications received over the period from January 2022 to end October 2025. The increase in depth of retrofit to an average value of just over €29,000 per home is also reflected in the waiting times as more significant works take a longer time per home to complete.
The average waiting time under the Warmer Homes Scheme, from application to completion of upgrade works, to date in 2025 was 21 months for the worst performing homes and 22 months for better performing homes. The represents a decrease from an average of 26 months for homes completed in 2022.
The reduction in waiting times follows a range of measures introduced by my Department and the SEAI. These include the allocation of additional staff to the Warmer Homes Scheme; a significantly increased budget allocation; active contract engagement and management by the SEAI to increase contractor output; as well as actions to address ongoing supply chain pressures.
Given the very high number of applications and the greater volume of deeper retrofits being provided under the scheme, the SEAI is projecting that new applications may face the following waiting times:
- the usual processing time for applications is 5 to 10 days from receipt;
- pre-works BER can be up to 12 months from application (if required);
- the survey is approximately 14 months from application;
- works are completed approximately 24 to 26 months from application; and
- the post works BER/inspection is approximately 2 to 3 months after works are completed.
The SEAI publish indicative wait times on their website for each stage of the process. This is available here: [Warmer Homes Scheme waiting times]. Applicants can contact the 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]
Delivering free energy upgrades to low-income households and reducing the waiting times for the Warmer Homes Scheme is a key priority for my Department and the SEAI. My officials continue to work with the SEAI to maximise and accelerate the output of fully-funded energy upgrades provided under this important scheme.
