Aindrias Moynihan (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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146. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the current wait times from application to completion of works under the free energy upgrade scheme under the SEAI by county in each of the years 2019 to 2022, and to-date in 2023; the measures that are being taken to address long waiting times under this SEAI scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18682/23]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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The Better Energy Warmer Homes Scheme delivers a range of energy efficiency measures free of charge to low-income households vulnerable to energy poverty. The primary aim of the scheme is to provide upgrades to those living in, or at risk of, energy poverty.

The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) operates the scheme on behalf of my Department. Delivering free energy upgrades to low-income households and as quickly as possible is a top priority for my Department and the SEAI.

Increased awareness of the multiple benefits of retrofit and improvements to the Warmer Homes Scheme are driving demand for the scheme. This can be seen in application numbers with over 9,900 applications received in 2022 and 4,407 applications received in the first three months of 2023 alone.

The table below sets out the average waiting times from application to completion for the scheme since 2019. It should be noted that the scheme has been delivering a greater volume of deeper and more complex upgrades in recent years. This is reflected in the average cost of upgrades which has increased in from €2,600 in 2015 to €12,670 in 2019 and €22,000 in quarter 4 of last year. The increase in depth of retrofit is also reflected in the waiting times as more significant works take a longer time per home to complete. It is important to note that the scheme was also impacted significantly by construction sector closures and restrictions on home visits associated with COVID-19. Waiting times are not collated on a per county basis, annual Scheme waiting times are outlined below.

The significant reduction in the average waiting time since the peak in 2021 has been achieved in part through the following actions taken over the past year to reduce the timeline to completion and increase output under the scheme:

• SEAI has been allocated additional staff for the Warmer Homes Scheme;
• An increased budget allocation;
• SEAI work to increase contractor output through active contract engagement and management;
• Actions to address ongoing supply chain and inflationary pressures.

I have asked my officials to continue to work with the SEAI to identify approaches that can further increase the number of free energy upgrades delivered. Importantly, this will include a new contractor panel for the scheme to be established later this year. It is intended that the panel will be in place for 4 years, with an estimated contract budget of €700 million for that period.

Thomas Pringle (Donegal, Independent)
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147. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the reason not-for-profit community centres, sports clubs and small businesses can only get a grant of 20% for solar PV through SEAI, yet farmers can avail of grants of 60% through TAMS; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18701/23]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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My Department has a range of supports for solar PV installations by homeowners and businesses of all sizes. The various Schemes are administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI).

The SEAI Community Energy Grant Scheme provides funding for a range of improvements to existing buildings – to drive energy efficiency and facilitate the installation of renewable technologies. These include the installation of insulation, heat pump systems, replacement windows/doors, solar PV (Photo-Voltaic) technology, energy-efficient lighting, and energy monitors, as well as other energy upgrades. Capital funding of €68 million has been provided for the Community Energy Grant scheme in 2023, which is the largest ever budget for the Scheme.

The Community Energy Grant Scheme guidelines for 2023 have been updated to reflect the changing environment and ensure that the programme continues to target and support our communities by delivering significant energy savings as well as the best value for money for the Exchequer.

Non-domestic Solar PV projects will continue to be supported in 2023 through grant funding up to a maximum of 200kWp installed. As in 2022, larger systems can continue to be installed but with grant support limited to the maximum size. A grant support rate of 20% will be available to the commercial, agriculture, industry, warehouse, community entities. The criteria for non-domestic solar PV projects in 2023 has been informed by SEAI economic analysis which shows that while the viability gap after the clean export guarantee for solar PV systems varies across the size of system and sector, overall an industrial 250kWp system is considered already financially viable.

In addition, the Microgeneration Support Scheme (MSS) provides grant funding up to a maximum of €2,400 towards the installation of solar PV (Photovoltaic) technology up to a maximum of 6kWp (Approx. 16 solar panels, 25m2). This includes small to medium-sized businesses, public organisations and community groups. Any excess energy can be exported to the grid with customers compensated for same by their electricity provider under the Clean Export Guarantee. The final phase of the MSS will involve the introduction of a Clean Export Premium (CEP) feed-in tariff, to support non-domestic applicants for installation sizes greater than 6kWp up to 50kWp. The Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) will consult on an implementation plan for the CEP tariff later in 2023.

The Climate Action Plan also commits to the development of a support scheme for small-scale generators (SSGS) – i.e. above 50kW but smaller than those supported by the auction-based, utility-scale, Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (RESS). My Department is progressing the SSGS this year and is expected to become available later in 2023. This scheme will enable larger businesses, farms and community projects to maximise their participation in the energy transition.

Anne Rabbitte (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
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148. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the status of the SEAI application made by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18716/23]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) operates the Warmer Homes Scheme on behalf of my Department. Delivering free energy upgrades to low-income households and reducing the waiting times for the Warmer Homes Scheme is a top priority for my Department and the SEAI.

However, individual applications to the Warmer Homes Scheme are an operational matter for SEAI and as the Minister I have no function in relation to individual applications. Applications are assessed on the basis of when they first apply to SEAI. Homes with the worst Building Energy Ratings (E, F or G) are then prioritised for works.

The applicant can contact SEAI at any time to get further information on the status of their application either by email to warmerhomes@seai.ie or by phone to 1800 250 204. Oireachtas members can make queries on behalf of applicants by contacting the dedicated email address oireachtas@seai.ie.