Mick Barry (Cork North Central, Solidarity)
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111. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the number of applications that have been approved for the national home energy upgrade scheme to date in 2022; the number of homes that have had works started on that scheme; the target for completions this year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54476/22]

Mick Barry (Cork North Central, Solidarity)
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112. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the number of applications that have been approved for the individual energy upgrade grants to date in 2022; the number of homes that have had works started on that scheme; the target for completions this year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54477/22]

Mick Barry (Cork North Central, Solidarity)
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113. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the number of applications that have been approved for the fully-funded energy upgrades to date in 2022; the number of homes that have had works started on that scheme; the target for completions this year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54478/22]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 111 to 113, inclusive, together.

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. Grants of up to 80% are available for homeowners wishing to install attic and cavity wall insulation.

This year demand and delivery across the range of SEAI retrofit schemes has been exceptionally high. As of end-September:

- Over 35,300 applications for support have been received across all of the SEAI home energy upgrade schemes – a circa 150% increase on the same period last year.

- 16,200 home energy upgrades have been completed – up nearly 70% compared to the same period last year.

- Of this amount, 3,200 homes have been upgraded under SEAI energy poverty schemes – up almost 140% on the same period last year.

- 5,250 homes have been upgraded to a BER of B2 or better – more than double last year.

Latest projections from SEAI indicate that the target of 27,000 home energy upgrades will be delivered this year. This compares to 15,500 upgrades last year.

My Department is working with the SEAI to build on this strong performance with a robust pipeline of activity planned for the rest of the year and into 2023.

With regard to the number of homes under each scheme which have had works commenced, it is important to note that the operating guidelines can vary across the different schemes. The figures collated by SEAI refer to home upgrades completed and where grants have been paid.

Under the Warmer Homes Scheme, the longest waiting time 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. At present, there are approximately 9,700 applicants on the Warmer Homes Scheme work programme. 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.

Monthly output under the scheme has more than doubled and my Department is working with SEAI to accelerate output further.

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.

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.