Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland administers a range of residential energy upgrade schemes on behalf of my Department. Almost 39,000 home energy upgrades have been supported through these schemes to the end of October of this year. This is an increase of 112% on the same period of last year and above the overall target of 37,000 home energy upgrades for 2023.

It is critically important that we can be confident that works supported by SEAI schemes are completed in line with the terms and conditions as set out in the scheme.

SEAI carries out a significant number of inspections of retrofits supported under its schemes. SEAI utilises a targeted, risk-based approach to selecting homes for inspection whilst ensuring a level of coverage across the contractor base.

SEAI sets a very high pass standard for its inspections with a “Pass” indicating that there are no open issues or follow-up snags. This approach helps to drive quality among the contractors operating under SEAI schemes.

It is important to note that almost all homes with issues or that require reworks are resolved.

A number of controls are in place in relation to inspection fails where reworks are not completed – this can include de-registration of the contractor until re-works are completed.

It is the SEAI’s intention to review and further enhance its inspections process, in line with a recommendation from the Comptroller & Auditor General's recent report on certain SEAI schemes.