I propose to take Questions Nos. 21 to 27, inclusive, together.
An Oversight Agreement (OA) 2023-2026 was drawn up by my Department in partnership with the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) in accordance with the 2016 Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies. This Agreement sets out the broad governance and accountability framework within which the SEAI operates, and defines the key roles, responsibilities and interactions that underpin its relationship with my Department.
The Performance Delivery Agreement (PDA) was introduced in 2024 as the new format for the performance contract between my Department and the SEAI. Previously, a Service Level Plan specified the level of service to be delivered by the SEAI. The PDA is in line with the structure and content outlined in the 2016 Code of Practice, allows for the adoption of both annual and multi-annual targets, and is updated annually. The OA and PDA are not routinely published.
The OA between my Department and the SEAI requires that a monthly programme meeting is held between the SEAI and my officials to provide insights into operational metrics and deliverables relative to the residential and community retrofit schemes. Specifically for the Warmer Homes Scheme, the OA requires that the monthly meeting deals with key governance matters, including spend to date, projected outturn, performance against KPIs, updates on key risks, and programme development.
The PDA provides the overall structure for the monitoring and oversight of these deliverables. A series of year-specific annexes are used to define the output including performance indicators for the scheme in relation to energy savings, greenhouse gas emissions mitigation, numbers of homes upgraded, numbers of homes upgraded to BER B2 and above, and number of heat pumps installed. These annexes form the basis of the monthly governance meetings between my Department and the respective business units in the SEAI, and allow for detailed discussions on performance. The PDA requires that pre-meeting materials must include a review of KPIs and targets.
In addition to the monthly governance meetings, there are two formal meetings (the Strategic and Oversight Meeting) per annum to review performance against the PDA targets. These meetings are chaired by the relevant Assistant Secretary from my Department and are attended by my officials and senior management in the SEAI.
Contractors operating under the Better Energy Warmer Homes Scheme are subject to the SEAI's Domestic Technical Standards and Specifications, the Better Energy Homes Contractor’s Code of Practice, and the Better Energy Homes Quality Assurance and Disciplinary Procedures for Contractors. Requirements in relation to performance, inspections, remediation and addressing non-compliance are set out in these documents. The SEAI continuously monitor the performance of all contractors operating on the Warmer Homes Scheme, including in relation to quality, level of complaints, timelines, and general administration.
