Michael Lowry (Tipperary, Independent)
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117. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the status of applications for the SEAI renewable heat deep retrofit scheme; the number of approved applications from January to June 2020; the cost of approved applications; the budget allocated to the SEAI for the scheme; the processing time for applications to the scheme; when letters of offer will issue on such applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14986/20]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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The Support Scheme for Renewable Heat was developed to financially support the adoption of renewable heating systems by commercial, industrial, agricultural, district heating and other non-domestic heat users.

The Scheme, which is operated by the SEAI, provides an operational support for biomass boilers and anaerobic digestion heating systems. Eligible renewable energy technologies are supported through a multi-annual payment, for a period of up to 15 years, on the basis of prescribed tariffs. The National Development Plan sets out an allocation of €300 million for the roll-out of the scheme for the period up to 2027. The scheme has a maximum annual budget currently set at €5 million.

In the period from January to June 2020, 17 applications were approved by the SEAI which have a combined maximum annual cost of €471,247. Processing time for applications to the scheme varies depending on the complexity of the project, but is typically 20 weeks. It is envisaged that processing times will reduce as the scheme develops. Letters of Offer are only issued to a project following evaluation and approval of the project by the SEAI. Typically a batch of projects will be approved and Letters of Offer issued on a monthly basis. Where an applicant has a specific query on an application, this should be addressed to SEAI.