Darren O'Rourke (Meath East, Sinn Fein)
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127. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the number of applications received under the warmer homes scheme since its announcement; the number of homes completed in the country; the number of applications received in County Meath, by year, since 2020, in tabular form; the number of homes that have been completed under the scheme in Meath, by year, since 2020, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21627/24]

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. Reducing the waiting times for the Warmer Homes Scheme is a top priority for my Department and the SEAI. My officials continue to work with the SEAI to maximise and accelerate the output of free energy upgrades provided to low income households under this important scheme.

The scheme has been in place in different formats since 2000. Since then, over 150,000 homes have received upgrades under the scheme. Records in relation to total application numbers since 2006 show that over 195,000 applications have been made. Information in relation to application numbers prior to 2006 is not readily available. Since 2020 there have been 35,244 applications, and 16,336 homes have been upgraded. This does not include additional applications and upgrades carried out under the Warmth and Wellbeing Scheme.

Last year saw a record spend of €158 million under the Scheme and there is an increased allocation of almost €210 million in place for 2024, including funding from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).

The tables below set out the breakdown of the number of applications received and the number of upgrades carried out in County Meath per year since 2020.

Number of applications received in County Meath 2020 – to date 2024

Number of upgrades completed in County Meath 2020 – to date 2024

Darren O'Rourke (Meath East, Sinn Fein)
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128. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the number of applications waiting to be approved under the warmer homes scheme; the current average wait time for applications; the number of approvals, per month, in 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and to date in 2024, in tabular form; the number of approvals, per year, since 2020, in tabular form; the average cost, per grant, per year, since 2020, in tabular form; the efforts that are being made to reduce the wait times; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21628/24]

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. My officials continue to work with the SEAI to maximise and accelerate the output of free energy upgrades provided under this important scheme.

Last year the SEAI launched a new online application service in partnership with the Department of Social Protection (DSP). This online portal provides immediate confirmation of eligibility for homeowners who meet the eligibility criteria. Homeowners can also still apply through a paper-based application. A home assessment takes place once the homeowner is deemed eligible to determine whether the home is a suitable home. The average waiting time for this assessment is 8-10 months. The entire process, along with up to date average waiting times for each stage of the scheme, are published on the SEAI’s website: www.seai.ie/grants/home-energy-grants/fully-funded-upgrades-for-eligible-homes/

Currently there are 20,201 homes on the Warmer Homes Scheme work programme. This includes homes that: are currently undergoing works; have been allocated to contractors for works; have completed an initial home survey and are awaiting allocation to a contractor; and that are awaiting the initial survey of their home.

For the homes completed in 2023, the average waiting time from application to completion was 20 months. This is a reduction from 26 months for homes completed in 2022. The significant reductions in the average waiting time have been achieved through, inter alia, the following actions taken to reduce the timeline to completion and increase output under the scheme:

• Record funding has been allocated;
• SEAI has been allocated additional staff for the Warmer Homes Scheme;
• SEAI has worked to increase contractor output through active contract engagement and management;
• Actions were taken to address ongoing supply chain and inflationary pressures; and
• A new €700 million contractor panel has been put in place for the next 4 years, which has increased contractor capacity to 36.