Written Answers Nos. 181-202
181. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the progress in emission reduction targets in areas that are the responsibility of her Department; which measures are particularly successful and which measures are underperforming; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [67049/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraEnhancing the sustainability of our buildings, operations, systems and processes at headquarters and across the mission network is a key priority in the Department’s Statement of Strategy 2025-2028, through Goal 6, which states that the Department will “Implement the Department’s Climate Action Roadmap".
The Department has signed up to the SEAI’s Public Sector Partnership Programme and is working with our assigned Partnership Support Manager to reduce our energy-related emissions by 51% and increasing energy efficiency to 50% by 2030. Analysis of our energy data for 2024, carried out by the SEAI, has concluded that:
• The Department achieved a 57.9% increase in Energy Efficiency since the 2011 baseline and is on track to achieve the target of a 50% reduction by 2030;
• Fossil CO2 was 4.5% above the baseline of 349,980 kgCO2. To achieve this target, fossil CO2 must reduce by 53.1% from 2024 level within 6 years;
• The total CO2 was 21.7% below the baseline of 1,654,053 kgCO2, but to achieve the target, total CO2 must reduce by another 65.2% from 2024 level within 6 years.
The Department is aware of the need to focus its efforts in reducing our fossil CO2 emissions which remained above target throughout 2025. To do so:
• We are continuing to actively engage with the SEAI’s Reduce Your Use and the Office of Public Works (OPW) Optimising Power @Work campaigns to promote energy saving techniques to staff across the Department;
• Our Digital Transformation Strategic Framework 2022-2025 has seen the reduction in paper-based processes and has increased our use of cloud based services;
• We continue to engage with the OPW to request greater investment in addressing the high energy demands of our HQ buildings.
182. Deputy Sinéad Gibney asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the support Ireland has provided to the Colombian peace process, with particular reference to Ireland's work in protecting/supporting the five pillars of the peace agreement; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [67224/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraSupporting the peace process in Colombia, including the full implementation of the 2016 peace agreement, is a priority for Ireland and has been a strong focus of the Irish Embassy in Bogotá since its opening in 2019.
Since the signing of the Agreement in 2016, Ireland has provided €26 million in development funding to Colombia focused on support to peace and dialogue processes, human rights and gender, and achieving peace dividends. This has increased to approximately €5 million per year since 2024 with the establishment of a Colombia development cooperation programme.
My Department channels funding primarily through the UN Multi Partner Trust Fund for Sustaining Peace on Colombia which works to support stabilisation in areas affected by the conflict, reincorporation of former combatants, and to support victims and systems of transitional justice, including by working to strengthen the Special Jurisdiction for Peace. My Department also provides funding directly to the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights in Colombia to support its important work in promoting and protecting human rights, and the Organisation of American States Mission to Support the Peace Process in Colombia.
Under the Total Peace policy, Ireland has been acting as a guarantor in peace negotiations with the FARC dissident group, EMBF (Estado Mayor de los Bloques y Frente) since 2022. This role involves Irish officials maintaining a continuous presence at the talks, promoting and protecting the dialogue process, supporting the parties to advance in challenging moments, and providing political, financial and technical support and assistance. The main focus of the negotiations is bringing state presence and investment to areas where the group is present, reducing violence, and negotiating issues related to demobilisation, justice, reconciliation and victims.
Ireland strongly advocates for the comprehensive implementation of the 2016 Peace Agreement to address many of the root causes of conflict in Colombia, including respect for the independence and proper functioning of the transitional justice system. Alongside political and financial support, a key pillar of our engagement has involved a Lesson Sharing Programme on the peace process in Northern Ireland. This has included engagement on peace negotiations and implementation, gender equality and Women, Peace and Security, police reform, the role of the private sector and communications in peace. In February of this year, an Irish delegation travelled to Colombia to participate in a lesson-sharing visit on the decommissioning process in Northern Ireland.
My officials in Dublin and Bogotá will continue Ireland's regular engagement with the Colombian government, human rights defenders, multilateral organisations and our EU partners, in support of human rights and the full implementation of the peace agreement in the country.
183. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade for an update on foreign birthright applications (details supplied).; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [67247/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department is responsible for processing Foreign Birth Registration (FBR) applications for people who are born abroad and claim Irish citizenship through a grandparent born in Ireland or through a parent who has claimed citizenship also through FBR, Naturalisation or Post Nuptial Citizenship.
FBR, by its nature, is a detailed and complex process, often involving official documentation relating to three generations and issued by several jurisdictions. Such documents take considerable time to validate. Applications are processed in the order in which they are submitted.
Due to the complex nature of the FBR process, it takes approximately nine months to process a fully competed FBR application that requires no further submissions. Processing time begins when all supporting documents are received by the Passport Service, and applications that require further supporting documentation will take longer to process. When the application’s position in the queue is reached, an Entitlement Officer will be in contact with the applicant should any further clarification be required.
With regard to the applications to which the Deputy is referring, the physical application forms and supporting documents were received in the FBR Unit on 29/08/2025. Therefore, these applications are still within the nine month turnaround time for processing.
184. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the reason a person who is on the invalidity pension is not included in the criteria when applying for the SEAI warmer homes scheme. [66892/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 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 the carbon tax receipts and the European Regional Development Fund.
Last year saw a record spend of almost €230 million under the scheme. This resulted in 7,743 upgrades being provided to low-income households, a 31% increase on 2023. This year’s budget includes an allocation of €280 million for the Warmer Homes Scheme. This represents an 11-fold increase on the 2020 expenditure figure.
The Warmer Homes Scheme is available to owner-occupied properties, based on the householder being in receipt of certain Department of Social Protection income supports.
The scheme targets support to those on the lowest incomes who are living in the least efficient homes so that the resources available can have the greatest impact in addressing energy poverty.
The eligible DSP payments are:
• Fuel Allowance;
• Job Seeker’s Allowance for more than 6 months with a child under 7;
• Working Family Payment (previously the Family Income Supplement).
• One Parent Family Payment;
• Domiciliary Care Allowance;
• Carer’s Allowance (where you live with the person you are caring for);
• Disability Allowance for more than 6 months with a child under 7.
The Invalidity Pension is not a qualifying payment for the Warmer Homes Scheme. However, households where someone is in receipt of the Invalidity Pension may also qualify for one of the DSP payments that are eligible payments for the Warmer Homes Scheme, such as the Fuel Allowance. This would be subject to the household meeting the relevant Department of Social Protection operational guidelines and means test where required for the respective payment.
The scheme eligibility criteria are kept under ongoing review by my Department, together with the Department of Social Protection, to ensure they are consistent with, and complementary to, the income support schemes offered.
The 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 Housing Aid for Older People Scheme is available to assist older people living in poor housing conditions to have necessary repairs or improvements carried out. The scheme is administered by Local Authorities. Details are available here: www.gov.ie/en/service/1ca60-housing-aid-for-older-people-grant/.
185. Deputy Ryan O'Meara asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the total funding allocated to Bord na Móna for land re-wetting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [66775/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe rehabilitation and restoration of peatlands is currently being undertaken by Bord na Móna (BnM) through the Enhanced Decommissioning Rehabilitation and Restoration Scheme (EDRRS). BnM are the operator of the scheme, with my Department administering the project and the National Parks and Wildlife Service of the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage involved as the scheme regulator.
EDRRS is one of Ireland’s lead green projects under the National Recovery and Resilience Plan which is funded via the EU’s Recovery and Resilience Fund (RRF). It involves the rehabilitation of approximately 33,000 hectares of previously extracted peatland. The maximum value of the grant for EDRRS is €108 million. To date, €64.2 million has been claimed by BnM under the scheme and just over 21,900 hectares of peatland have been rehabilitated.
The work being carried out under EDRRS will help fulfil a key target under the Land Use, Land Use Change & Forestry (LULUCF) sector of the national Climate Action Plan. It will also play a crucial role in ensuring that Ireland meets emission reduction targets under the EU LULUCF Regulation, as well as restoration targets under the Nature Restoration Law. Therefore, the money we spend on rehabilitation and restoration now will have a significant impact on potential compliance costs post-2030.
EDRRS is also ensuring a just transition from fossil fuels in the Midlands region by enabling the continued employment of 135 people who previously worked for BnM on peat extraction sites. EDRRS is estimated to result in the net reduction of 3.3 million tonnes of CO2-eq over the period to 2050, with projected gains in carbon abatement of 62-78 million tonnes of carbon versus no rehabilitation of same landmass.
Once rehabilitated, these peatlands will support peat forming habitats; protecting the storage of millions of tonnes of carbon, enhancing biodiversity, and contributing to Ireland’s target of carbon neutrality by no later than 2050, while developing the capacity of peatland communities to respond to challenges faced by transitioning to a net-zero economy.
186. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the breakdown of prepay electricity meters, by county, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [66820/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraResponsibility for the regulation of the electricity market is a matter for the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) which is an independent regulator, accountable to the Oireachtas and not to me, as Minister. The CRU was assigned responsibility for the regulation of the Irish electricity sector following the enactment of the Electricity Regulation Act, 1999 and subsequent legislation. It is a function of the CRU to regulate the electricity market, including the matter referred to in the Question. CRU has a dedicated email address for Oireachtas members, which enables them to raise questions on general energy regulatory matters to CRU at oireachtas@cru.ie for timely direct reply. Data on the breakdown of prepay electricity meters, by county is not held by my Department.
187. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment if he approved the regulators decision to a CRU Decision on additional customer protection measures for household electricity and gas customers 2025/2026 published in September 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [66821/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) was assigned consumer protection functions under the 1999 Electricity Regulation Act and subsequent legislation, and has statutory responsibility for the compliance by energy suppliers with their consumer protection obligations. The CRU is an independent regulator, accountable to the Oireachtas and not to me as Minister.
Government is deeply conscious of the impact which rising energy prices, driven by an unprecedented increase in wholesale prices and the Russian invasion of Ukraine, have had on Irish consumers and businesses. The Government has made a number of important commitments in respect of addressing the continued high cost of energy. The Programme for Government acknowledges the increased energy cost pressures on households and businesses and commits to bringing forward taxation measures to help contain energy costs.
Each year, the CRU carries out a review on the effectiveness of customer protection measures over the past winter, as well as deciding the measures to be retained for the forthcoming winter. The additional protection measures originally identified by the CRU in 2022 have been monitored with data and feedback, sought by the CRU, from customer representative groups, network operators and suppliers, to fully understand the impact for all customers groups, including vulnerable customers.
For the upcoming Winter period 2025/26, some of the key customer protection measures that will remain in place include a disconnection moratorium, minimum timelines for debt repayment plans, discounted tariffs for financial hardship meter customers and promotion by energy suppliers of the vulnerable customer register.
Given the independent role of the CRU, Ministerial approval for the customer protection measures for customers for 2025/2026 was not required. However, I support and welcome the measures which will help consumers over the winter.
188. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment to provide an uptake on the low interest retrofit loan scheme, by county, each month the loan has been in operation, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [66846/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Home Energy Upgrade Loan Scheme (HEULS), which launched in April 2024, is intended to play a crucial role in helping homeowners invest in energy upgrades to make their homes warmer, healthier and more comfortable, with lower emissions and lower bills. It was developed by my Department, in conjunction with the Department of Finance, the Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland (SBCI), the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) and the European Investment Bank Group.
The scheme is available nationwide and homeowners can borrow from €5,000 to €75,000 on an unsecured basis for a term of up to 10 years at significantly lower interest rates to those currently on the market. Rates start from as low as 2.99% with price varying depending on the finance provider. PTSB was the first lender to join in April 2024, with AIB and Bank of Ireland joining in June 2024. In 2025 the group of participating lenders has been expanded to include Avant Money (in partnership with An Post) and seven credit unions from the Irish League of Credit Unions.
In line with the Programme for Government, in addition to expanding the number of lenders under the scheme, a key focus of my Department across 2025 has been the continued promotion of the Scheme to drive uptake. The Department has engaged with the SEAI, the SBCI and several lenders to examine and identify opportunities to further promote the scheme. This also includes the progression of a marketing and communications campaign to scale up activity in the Home Energy Upgrade Loan Scheme.
Cumulative figures for loan uptake are provided below. At the end of September 2025, there were 776 loans drawn to a value of €38,258,801. As only one lender was operating under the scheme for the majority of Quarter 2 2024, the uptake figures for Quarter 2 are not reported separately due to commercial sensitivity.
The SBCI provide a regional breakdown of loan uptake on a quarterly basis. The Deputy may wish to note that as uptake figures in certain counties mean that it could be possible to identify individual homeowners, county figures have not been disclosed. Instead, uptake figures by region are provided in the following table.
Cumulative figures are as follows:
|
Region |
Q2 2024+ Q3 3034 |
Q4 2024 |
Q1 2025 |
Q2 2025 |
Q3 2025 |
|
Border |
11 |
21 |
40 |
75 |
115 |
|
Dublin |
40 |
76 |
114 |
170 |
225 |
|
Mid-East |
19 |
34 |
55 |
76 |
94 |
|
Midlands |
7 |
12 |
13 |
18 |
26 |
|
Mid-West |
12 |
27 |
44 |
61 |
75 |
|
South-East |
8 |
19 |
27 |
39 |
51 |
|
South-West |
27 |
49 |
66 |
82 |
111 |
|
West |
13 |
30 |
40 |
59 |
79 |
|
Total |
137 |
268 |
399 |
580 |
776 |
189. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment if his Department will investigate increasing feedback tariffs from anaerobic digesters and solar panels in order to incentivise the production of electricity on family farms by making green energy more sustainable. [66857/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Programme for Government commits to promoting the Small-Scale Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (SRESS) to simplify market access for community, SME and farmer-owned solar and wind projects.
SRESS offers two options to help farmers, communities and businesses lower electricity consumption costs or generate income. The first option provides non-domestic grants via SEAI for self-consumers investing in systems up to 1MW.
Additionally, suppliers must offer a Clean Export Guarantee (CEG) tariff for excess electricity exported to the grid, reflective of the market value. The Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) monitors the CEG framework.
The second option is the SRESS export phase. This is designed for farmer, community, and SME export only projects above 50kW to 6MW. SRESS offers simple fixed tariffs to farmers and others, for solar and wind generation.
The export scheme opened for applications in January. The SRESS application form, as well as first steps guides for exporters and for renewable self-consumers, are both available on the Department’s website at www.gov.ie/SRESS.
There are no immediate plans to review the SRESS tariffs, and the scheme still has adequate capacity.
Additional supports are available to farmers through the TAMS 3 Solar Capital Investment Scheme for self-consumption solar PV projects up to 62kW.
The development of anaerobic digestion (AD) plants is supported by capital grants. The National Biomethane Strategy commits to two grant programmes. One was launched by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine in 2024 and was fully subscribed.
A second grant programme will be the responsibility of my Department and will run from 2026 to 2030, with a funding allocation of €100 – €200 million. I will announce further details on this in 2026.
The Support Scheme for Renewable Heat (SSRH) provides tariff aid for AD biogas, but it incentivises switching to renewable heat, not electricity production.
190. Deputy Louis O'Hara asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment following the publication of the review of Storm Éowyn (details supplied), if his Department is undertaking any work in progressing recommendation 4.8.6 focused on 'further exploration of the area of vulnerability, the identification of vulnerable persons and the management of personal information'; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [66893/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraDraft secondary legislation in order to operationalise aspects of Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2023/1162 on interoperability requirements and non-discriminatory and transparent procedures for access to metering and consumption data is at an advanced stage. This Implementing Regulation stipulated a number of requirements for Member States in relation to smart meters by creating new entities involved in the process of handling smart metering data, as well as requiring Member States to create a reference model for metering and consumption data access from smart meters.
Also included in these proposed Regulations will be amendments to SI 37/2022 compiled in coordination with the Commission for the Regulation of Utilities, ESB Networks and the Data Protection Commission giving the Distribution System Operator the firm legislative basis to collect and process smart meter data for the purposes of managing the distribution network, including grid development and management, managing smart meters, and related activities.
The Smart Meter Data Access Code (SMDAC), published 19 February 2025 by the CRU enables suppliers and others to deliver value to customers through the development and introduction of new smart services and products. The provision of smart meter data creates opportunities to offer additional services to customers, such as more accurate and personalised price comparisons, better tailored tariffs, and analysis of customers’ energy consumption. In addition, the provision of smart meter data under the SMDAC will also support the operation of the electricity network, while helping Ireland to meet its climate action targets. The introduction of the SMDAC will ensure that smart meter data is handled in an appropriate way, in accordance with all relevant data protection legislation. The Department's proposed Regulations will work in tandem with the SMDAC to ensure that Smart Meters my be fully utilised to protect vulnerable customers while ensuring that their information is handled in a safe and compliant manner.
191. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment to list all funding schemes, grant programmes and any other financial supports that are currently administered by his Department and its agencies; the expected launch and closing dates for applications for each scheme in 2026, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [66924/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe information requested is currently being compiled by my Department and will be forwarded to the Deputy shortly.
192. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the progress in emission reduction targets in areas that are the responsibility of his Department; which measures are particularly successful and which measures are underperforming; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [67043/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThis Government is committed to delivering measures and actions to achieve Ireland’s national and EU targets and ultimately climate neutrality by 2050.
The Environmental Protection Agency’s recent reporting confirms that Ireland’s overall GHG emissions reduced for a third consecutive year. Ireland’s GHG emissions are now at their lowest level in 35 years.
Under the Climate Action Plan 2025 (CAP), and previous CAPs, there is an extensive programme of policies and measures that aim to achieve significant progress towards emission reductions. Measures and targets include:
• Renewables-led energy transformation, with a target of 80% of electricity demand to be met by renewable energy sources and plans to deliver 9GW of onshore wind, 8 GW of solar, and 5 GW of offshore wind.
• Ireland currently has 7.7 GW of renewable generation capacity. New records were broken in 2025 as Ireland reached 7 GW of renewable generation, 5 GW of wind generation, and 2 GW of solar PV generation for the first time. Renewables provided 41.1% of our electricity demand in 2024.
• Extensive grid investment overseen by the CRU, projected at up to €18 billion for the 2026-2030 period will support the renewables led energy transformation.
• DCEE funded business supports, administered by the SEAI, provided grant support of over €40 million to over 3000 businesses during 2024 significantly supporting energy cost and emission reduction.
• From 2019 to September 2025, SEAI schemes provided over €1.5 billion in support to homeowners for 228,350 home energy upgrades, including 30,600 fully-funded upgrades for households at risk of energy poverty under the Warmer Homes Scheme and 17,100 heat pump installations.
• The Heat and Built Environment Taskforce is working to deliver on the decarbonisation of Ireland’s buildings through specialised Working Groups.
• Decarbonised Electricity System Study (DESS) is being conducted to provide Government with an evidence-based pathway for decarbonising the Irish electricity system post-2030.
• Strengthened governance arrangements for the CAP Programme Board.
193. Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the number of assessors either employed directly or contracted by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) to carry out assessments under the warmer homes scheme; the number assigned in each county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [67197/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra194. Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the tendering and procurement process used by the SEAI for assigning contractors to deliver works under the warmer homes scheme; whether tenders are issued on a national or county basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [67198/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra195. Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the number of contractors currently approved by the SEAI to carry out warmer homes scheme retrofit works; the number operating in each county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [67199/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra196. Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the average period of time between an SEAI assessment of a property under the warmer homes scheme and the issuing of a tender for works; the median and maximum timeframes currently recorded; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [67200/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra197. Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment to outline the workflow for a warmer homes scheme application from initial application through assessment, tendering, contractor allocation, and commencement of works; and to detail any capacity bottlenecks identified within this process. [67201/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra198. Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the average waiting time for applicants in each county, from date of application to completion of works under the warmer homes scheme; and the reasons for any significant regional delays. [67202/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra199. Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the measures being taken to increase assessor and contractor capacity and reduce delays in the warmer homes scheme; and the expected timeline for improvements. [67203/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra200. Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment whether the SEAI has performance targets for the time between assessment and issuing of tenders for warmer homes scheme projects; the targets set; and the current performance of SEAI against those targets. [67204/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra201. Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the extent to which contractor availability at county level is contributing to delays in the warmer homes scheme; and the steps being taken to address shortages in counties with long waiting times. [67205/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra202. Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment if tendering for warmer homes scheme works is conducted in batches; the criteria used; and whether funding certainty or administrative processes contribute to tendering delays. [67206/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 193 to 202, inclusive, together.
Last year saw a record spend of almost €230 million under the scheme. As reported by the SEAI, this resulted in 7,743 upgrades being provided to low-income households. This year’s budget includes an allocation of €280 million for the Warmer Homes Scheme.
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 45,700 applications received over the period from January 2022 to end October 2025.
The SEAI publish indicative wait times on their website for each stage of the process. This is available here: https://www.seai.ie/grants/home-energy-grants/fully-funded-upgrades-for-certain-homeowners.
The average waiting time under the Warmer Homes Scheme, from application to completion of upgrade works for homes completed in 2025 was 21 months for Priority 1 homes and 22 months for Priority 2 homes. This represents a decrease from an average of 26 months for homes completed in 2022. 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. It is also important to note that the scheme was impacted significantly by construction sector closures and restrictions on home visits associated with COVID-19 in recent years which resulted in a build-up of applications.
The reduction in wait times follows a range of measures introduced by my Department and SEAI including.
• 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;
• Budget 2025 allocated a record €280 million for the scheme this year through carbon tax receipts via the Exchequer and by the European Regional Development Fund;
• ERDF funding of €264 million over the period 2021 until 2027;
• Increased contractor capacity.
The specific information requested by the Deputy in relation to waiting times on a county by county basis, the tendering process for the warmer homes scheme and associated works, contractor performance, application workflows and the number of assessors working on the scheme are operational matters and are not routinely supplied by the SEAI to my Department. It is suggested that the Deputy contact the SEAI directly in relation to these matters. The SEAI has established a specific email address for queries from Oireachtas members so that such queries can be addressed promptly and in line with the SEAI’s objective to deliver services to the highest standards. The email address is oireachtas@seai.ie.
My officials continue to work with the SEAI to maximise and accelerate the output of free energy upgrades provided under this important scheme.
