Gary Gannon (Dublin Central, Social Democrats)
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220. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he will review the grant application by a person (details supplied) who did receive support for attic insulation but is now precluded from availing of SEAI home energy grant for wall insulation despite the fact that wall insulation was not originally covered by the grant; his views on whether it is fair or reasonable for this person to struggle to afford to heat their home; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44187/21]

Gary Gannon (Dublin Central, Social Democrats)
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221. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if a review of the SEAI home energy grants has taken place and been published; if not, the reason a review of the scheme has not yet taken place or been published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44188/21]

Gary Gannon (Dublin Central, Social Democrats)
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222. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the terms and conditions of revisiting properties under the SEAI home energy grants due to take place in late 2021 in circumstances in which it is feasible and appropriate. [44189/21]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 220, 221 and 222 together. 220, 221  and 222   together.

The Better Energy Warmer Homes Scheme is funded by my Department and administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI). The scheme delivers a range of energy efficiency measures free of charge to lower income households vulnerable to energy poverty. To date over 143,000 homes have received free upgrades under the scheme leaving them better able to afford to heat their homes to an adequate level. During the first 6 months of 2021, the approximate average value of the energy efficiency measures provided per household was €17,100.

There are currently over 7,000 homeowners on the Warmer Homes Scheme work programme who have never received any upgrade works under the scheme. SEAI data indicates that for homes completed in the first half of 2021, the average time from application to completion was almost 26 months. The SEAI has advised me 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.

Revisits under this scheme are currently not available. This enables the work programme to prioritise eligible homes that have not previously received free upgrades under the scheme. Recommendations on the implementation of changes to the scheme to better target those most in need will be finalised and published shortly.

It is important to note that the grants available through SEAI aim to maximise emission reductions and deliver energy savings for the widest range of homeowners possible. The grants which are available, and their respective eligibility criteria, were selected as the most likely to deliver significant energy savings to homeowners as well as the best value for money for the Exchequer.