Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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186. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his Department’s role in the roll-out of decarbonisation zones in each local authority; the engagement that he or his Department has had with the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage in 2021 and to date in 2022 in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11662/22]

Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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187. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the way that he plans to tackle the current exceptionally long waiting times to have works carried out through the warmer homes scheme; and his views on whether there will be further backlogs in this scheme as a result of the recently launched energy efficiency grants. [11699/22]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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The Better Energy Warmer Homes Scheme delivers free energy upgrades for eligible homeowners at risk of energy poverty.  Since 2000, over 143,000 free upgrades have been supported by the SEAI administered scheme.  Last year, 2,126 upgrades were delivered under the scheme and the average cost of the energy efficiency measures provided per household was €17,100.There are currently just over 7,000 homes at various points on the Warmer Homes Scheme work programme. It is important to note that activity under the Scheme in 2020 and 2021 was significantly impacted by COVID-related restrictions on the construction sector which led to a large increase in the number of homes awaiting works. Addressing wait times is a key priority for my Department and the SEAI.  The 2022 budget for the Scheme, at €109 million, will support an increase in the number of homes retrofitted from 177 per month in 2021 to 400 per month (or a total of 4,800) this year. This greatly increased level of activity will enable the homes currently on the waiting list to be cleared in approximately 18 months. In addition to the record capital allocation for the Scheme this year, I have also secured additional staffing resources for the SEAI including the Warmer Homes Scheme team.  Delivery capacity in the supply chain has also increased due to a new, broader contractor panel established in late 2020. The SEAI continues to work with the scheme contractors on an ongoing basis to further increase output.