Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 18 December 2025
160. Deputy John Paul O'Shea asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the number of homes retrofitted under SEAI schemes in Cork in 2023, 2024 and to date in 2025; the total funding allocated; if additional resources will be provided to reduce waiting times for schemes such as the warmer homes scheme that have considerable delays presently; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [71899/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department funds a number of grant schemes, administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI), to support homeowners improve the energy efficiency of their buildings, and to promote the adoption of renewable energy systems.
There has been significant investment and year-on-year growth in home energy upgrades under the National Retrofit Plan, with capital expenditure of over €1.6 billion since 2019 and over 239,000 home energy upgrades supported to end November 2025. This includes over 32,000 fully funded retrofits under the Warmer Home Schemes.
The total number of homes retrofitted under SEAI schemes in 2023 was 47,953, and in 2024 was 53,984. From January to end November 2025, 52,415 upgrades have been completed, representing sustained and significant increases each year. The most recently published statistics for SEAI residential and community energy retrofit programmes by scheme, county, measure type, and more can be found on the SEAI website at: www.seai.ie/grants/home-energy-grants/home-upgrades
Budget 2026 provided record funding of €558 million for SEAI residential and community energy upgrade schemes. This is an increase of €89 million on the Budget 2025 allocation to support delivery of the National Retrofit Plan.
This funding is expected to be further supplemented with additional funding, such as an allocation from the European Regional Development Fund, which will provide for an increase in the allocation for the Warmer Home Scheme. These allocations will be published as part of the REV.
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.
Importantly, the SEAI have recently launched a tender to establish a new €1.2 billion contractor panel to be in place in Q2 next year. This will support continued growth with a focus on scale, quality and output under the scheme. My officials continue to work with the SEAI to further accelerate and maximise the output of fully funded energy upgrades and thereby minimise waiting times.
