Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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99. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he will provide additional resources to SEAI programmes in order to clear the extensive backlog which currently exists. [28926/21]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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The Better Energy Warmer Homes Scheme delivers a range of energy efficiency measures free of charge to low income households vulnerable to energy poverty. To date, over 142,000 homes have received free upgrades under the scheme and in 2020 the average value of the energy efficiency measures provided per household was over €14,800. I have secured additional resources this year to expand the capacity of the SEAI to deliver the scheme. Funding for the energy poverty retrofit schemes has also increased to over €109 million in 2021. This is an increase of €47 million on the 2020 allocation. In addition, delivery capacity has increased due to a new, broader contractor panel that commenced at the end of 2020.

There are currently over 7,800 homes on the scheme work programme. This includes homes that: are currently undergoing works; have been allocated to contractors for works; completed an initial home survey and are awaiting allocation to a contractor or are awaiting initial survey. The scheme operates nationally on a first come first served basis. SEAI data indicates that for homes completed in 2020, the average time from application to completion was approximately 18 months. The average wait times are expected to increase significantly in 2021 due to the extensive COVID-19 related restrictions on construction activity between March and June of last year as well as between January and 12 April of this year when the scheme was fully paused in line with Government guidelines.  Works under the scheme have now recommenced in line with activity in the residential construction sector.

The SEAI has advised me that the average wait times should only ever be used as a general guide and that wait times vary, based on the demand for the scheme at the time of application as well as other factors including the scale of works to be completed, access to the property, availability of materials and the weather.

A further €112.5 million will be spent on expanding other existing SEAI residential and community grant schemes and introducing new initiatives. This will support an increased level of retrofit activity in 2021. 

Patrick Costello (Dublin South Central, Green Party)
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100. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the total annual budget of the SEAI on an annual basis; the number of applicants for various grants; and the average grant award and number of rejected applications for the past five years, in tabular form. [28939/21]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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My Department funds a number of grant schemes to support homeowners to improve the energy efficiency of their properties. These are administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI). The SEAI operated retrofit schemes offer partial grants for individuals who can afford to contribute to the cost of upgrades as well as free energy efficiency improvements for people at risk of energy poverty.The information sought by the Deputy in relation to average grant awards and rejected applications is not readily available. However, one scheme, the Better Energy Warmer Homes Scheme, has provided free upgrades to over 142,000 homes, and in 2020 the average value of the energy efficiency measures provided per household was over €14,800. The request for information has been sent to the SEAI and available data will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as possible.

The table below sets out the SEAI's total annual budget allocations for the past 5 years: