Eugene Murphy (Roscommon-Galway, Fianna Fail)
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420. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland better energy warmer homes scheme and better energy homes funding is coming to an end; if such schemes will be closed off by the end of November 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32956/16]

Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) operates a number of schemes on behalf of my Department to support energy efficiency improvements to homes. The Better Energy Homes scheme makes a range of grants available to homeowners who wish to improve the energy efficiency of their home and the Better Energy Warmer Homes scheme offers free energy efficiency upgrades to those in energy poverty.I can assure the Deputy that I regard both schemes as core elements of the Government's energy and climate policy and that neither will be coming to an end. In fact, with an allocation of €100m in Budget 2017 for energy projects, I expect SEAI schemes to support the upgrade of up to 30,000 homes in 2017, supporting some 3,000 jobs in the construction sector.

There is no closing date for application to either the Better Energy Homes or the Warmer Homes schemes.

The Better Energy Homes scheme is the elective grant scheme available to homeowners. Individual homeowners apply for grants that cover a range of energy efficiency improvements, such as various types of insulation, heating controls and solar thermal technologies. Homeowners procure their own SEAI-registered contractors to carry out the works on their properties and apply to the SEAI for the grant funding.  It is up to homeowners to determine when is the best time of year to complete any works on their home. The only stipulation when applying for a grant, in relation to timing, is that it should be drawn down within six months of successful application.

Under the Better Energy Warmer Homes scheme, a householder may apply directly to SEAI at any time of the year, provided they meet the eligibility criteria. Once an application has been received a home must be inspected by SEAI’s appointed survey team to determine what works are suitable. The SEAI then assigns homes to their panel of appointed contractors within a number of days. Completion of works is then dependent on contractor logistics and weather conditions. Cold and damp weather in December and January may delay works and result in a longer waiting time for completion for applications received at this time of the year. In addition, as SEAI manages a large number of contractors who deliver the upgrade works on their behalf, SEAI require contractors to conclude works by early December to ensure that contractors are paid in 2016 for works completed in that year. However, it is typically the case that some works continue throughout December.

Full details of all the schemes administered by SEAI are available from their website or directly from the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland, Wilton Park House, Wilton Park, Dublin, D02 T228.