Darren O'Rourke (Meath East, Sinn Fein)
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143. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the number waiting, and the median waiting time, between the time of application and time of works completed under the warmer homes scheme; the breakdown of same, per county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21325/23]

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, 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 (WHS) are driving demand for the scheme. This can be seen in application numbers with over 9,900 applications received in 2022 and 5,653 applications received in the first four months of 2023 alone.

It should also 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 have increased from €2,600 in 2015 to approximately €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 in recent years.

As of end-March 2023, the number of homes outstanding under the WHS countrywide is 14,261. The breakdown of these homes per county is set out in the attached document.

The median waiting times from application date to installation completion in the first quarter of 2023 was 19 months as compared to 27 months in 2022. SEAI do not gather data on a by county basis with respect to WHS waiting times. Achievement of this reduction in the median waiting time has been supported by the following actions taken over the past year:

SEAI has been allocated additional staff for the WHS;

SEAI is working to increase contractor output through active contract engagement and management; and

Actions to address supply chain, cashflow and inflationary pressures.

An unprecedented budget of €148.5 million has been allocated to the scheme this year which will deliver 6,000 home upgrades. Additional funding of €248 million has also been secured for the scheme from the European Regional Development Fund and will supplement the annual allocations over the period from now until 2027.

My Officials continue to work with the SEAI to maximise and accelerate output of free energy upgrades delivered. Importantly, a new contractor panel for the scheme will 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, which will be a very strong signal of intent.