Kieran O'Donnell (Limerick City, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I think this is an energy upgrade scheme, as distinct from a retrofit scheme. I raised this in the Dáil with the Minister on 20 January. My issue at that time was the anomaly whereby someone on the free energy upgrade scheme was only entitled to apply once. Someone who might have applied prior to 2018, before double-glazed windows were part of the scheme, could not apply a second time after the windows had been included in the scheme. That has now been rectified, which I very much welcome. Now under the free energy upgrade, which was previously known as the warmer homes scheme, people who applied before 2018 can apply again to get the double-glazed windows. That is a huge factor for people.

I welcome the fact that the Government is looking at increasing the numbers who would get the free energy upgrade scheme, which I will call the warmer homes scheme, to 400 per month from 177 per month in 2021, and that it is going to look to double the number of upgrades. It needs to be looked at even more carefully on a number of levels. This particular launch states that looking at houses and upgrading them for energy is a central plank of our climate action plan. It reduces the cost for the homeowner. It clearly advances the agenda of getting our carbon footprint down and meeting our carbon targets.

I have a number of suggestions. There is a 26-month waiting time on the warmer homes scheme. While I know we are doubling the numbers we are going to deal with per month, I ask that this be looked at again to see if we can expedite it even more. I refer to what is available across all the schemes. The warmer homes scheme or free energy upgrade scheme is the free upgrade scheme and people have to be in receipt of the fuel allowance or other social welfare payments to qualify for it. Then we have the better energy homes scheme, which is a grant scheme for individual houses; and the one-stop shop scheme. The difference between them is that under the better energy homes scheme, the applicant picks a contractor and does the work, and does not necessarily have to reach a B2 rating. With the one-stop shop scheme, which is more comprehensive, the SEAI deals with it from cradle to grave. It appoints a contractor and the property reaches a B2 rating. We need to make certain across the three schemes that the same measures are available. Certainly looking at it, they are slightly different, not significantly different. It may be something to look at.

Some 80% of the cost is going to be made available for attic and cavity wall insulation. We need to find a way that we can fast-track this. That is the grant scheme. It does not place a huge burden on people. If they are going for more to get to the B2 rating, the costs involved are going to be up to about 50%. If the Government could fast-track that scheme, more people could get on it and it could make a significant difference in the context of rising energy prices when it comes to reducing costs for those who are under financial pressure.

Is there a way to fast-track the element of the scheme in question in order that the cost will not be prohibitive and people can get their attic insulation and cavity walls done? Afterwards, when they feel they can afford it, they can opt for the other measures for which they will get a grant of only 50%. That would be a practical measure.

Overall, this is a welcome scheme. It is a question of take-up and delivery. Fundamentally, we need to determine how we can get the craftsmen to do the work. That is a big challenge. A body of work is under way in this regard. For me, the anomalies are now gone from the free scheme, which is important and which means that people can apply twice. It means everyone will now get access to the double-glazed windows. An applicant before 2018 would not have been able to do so. This is very relevant. There should be consistency in respect of measures available across all schemes, including the free scheme, the two grant schemes, the one-stop-shop scheme and the warmer homes scheme.

Personnel must be in place to deliver on the scheme. I want to see the waiting times for the free scheme coming down, if possible. The Minister of State needs to find a way to fast-track the scheme for insulation and the scheme for cavity walls. I am not certain whether those with the necessary skills in this area are more available than others. I will follow up on this with the Minister.

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