Martin Browne (Tipperary, Sinn Fein)
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126. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if there are plans to make the warmth and wellbeing scheme available to homes outside of the currented limited pilot areas. [52050/21]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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The Warmth and Wellbeing pilot scheme aims to objectively measure and validate the health and wellbeing impacts of improving the living conditions of vulnerable people living in energy poverty with chronic respiratory conditions. The scheme is a collaboration between my Department and the Department of Health and is jointly administered by the Health Service Executive and the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland. Since 2016, over 1,300 homes have received free upgrades to their homes, including attic and wall insulation, window and door replacement and heating system upgrades where needed.

The Exchequer investment in this scheme has significantly improved the warmth and comfort of the homes involved. Initial reports have indicated that the upgrades are also delivering benefits to the health and wellbeing of participants, including reports of needing fewer GP and hospital visits, fewer prescriptions for antibiotics as well as increased engagement with other support services in the community. An independent analysis of the scheme benefits is being carried out by the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, in collaboration with the Health Service Executive.

The research element of the scheme has unfortunately experienced significant delays due to complications associated with GDPR, Brexit and more recently the COVID-19 emergency. However, every effort is being made to progress the research as quickly as possible and publish the results. The findings will inform Government’s approaches to retrofitting, especially with regard to those who are more vulnerable and at risk of energy poverty.

As sufficient participants for this research have been recruited under the scheme there are no plans to extend the pilot area further. The Warmer Homes Scheme, is already available nationwide and provides a similar range of energy efficiency measures free of charge to low-income households vulnerable to energy poverty. In addition, the Warmer Homes Scheme has wider eligibility criteria than the pilot scheme as it is not limited to those with chronic respiratory conditions. To date, over 143,000 homes have received free upgrades under the scheme. In the first six months of 2021, the average value of the energy efficiency measures provided per household was approximately €17,100. This year, the budget for the Warmer Homes Scheme is €100 million.