Pádraig O'Sullivan (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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53. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the number of SEAI grants that have been granted in 2022; the average waiting time per application; the number of applications that remain on the waiting list; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55188/22]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) administers a range of grant schemes to support homeowners to improve the energy efficiency of their properties. Grants of up to 50% are now available for individuals who can afford to contribute to the cost of upgrades as well as free energy efficiency retrofits for people at risk of energy poverty. Separately, grants of up to 80% are available for homeowners wishing to install attic and cavity wall insulation.Latest data provided to my Department by the SEAI indicates that the total number of homes completed for all grant schemes to end of September is 16,207 and of these 5,259 reached a BER B2 or better.

Under the Warmer Homes Scheme, the longest time waiting for a survey is 9 months, and the average cycle time from application to completion is 27.5 months. In recent years, cycle times have been affected by COVID related issues. In addition, there are deeper measures being provided under the Scheme since 2018, which involve more substantive works, and therefore take longer to complete. It is important to note that at the end of 2021, there were just over 7,000 homes on the Better Energy Warmer Homes waiting list. While the number has risen to over 9,700 at the end of September, the majority of these applications were received in the current year.

I want to see even higher output and reduced waiting times and I have asked the SEAI to redouble its efforts on this key Scheme and am providing every support I can to that end.

The Better Energy Homes Scheme and Solar PV Scheme are demand-led schemes which require homeowners to procure their own contractor following grant approval from SEAI (this approval process is instantaneous once all requirements for the SEAI grant application portal are met by applicants). Works must be completed within an 8-month period, starting from the date of grant approval.

Latest figures from SEAI show that under the Better Energy Homes Scheme the average cycle time for applications that were received and completed in 2022 is 3.6 months and 6 months for applications completed in 2022. While for the Solar PV Scheme the figures are 4.2 months for applications received and completed in 2022 and 5.5 months for applications completed in 2022. Applications prior to this year were more likely to be impacted by COVID restrictions in 2021 with respect to their timeline to completion.

Under the National Home Energy Home Upgrade Scheme and Community Energy Grant Scheme, homeowners engage a registered One Stop Shop or Project Co-ordinator, respectively, to manage the grant application process and oversee delivery of the retrofit on their behalf. Works must be completed under these schemes within 12 months.