Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

122. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he will review the regulations under the warmer homes scheme to allow works to be grant aided to households that are in particular hardship, but are slightly outside the age of homes which qualify under existing regulations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40687/24]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) operates the Warmer Homes Scheme on behalf of my Department. The scheme is available to owner-occupied homes built before 2006 where the household meets the Department of Social Protection (DSP) payment related eligibility criteria. No exceptions to these criteria can be made.

The Warmer Homes Scheme delivers free energy upgrades for eligible homeowners in low-income households who are most at risk of energy poverty. Since the start of the scheme in 2000, over 150,000 free upgrades have been supported by the scheme.

Last year saw a record spend of €158 million under the Scheme and there is a further increased allocation of almost €210 million in place for 2024 and funding of €240m was announced in Budget 2025, including funding from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).

Applications to the Scheme 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. No other prioritisation takes place under the scheme.

In recent years, the Warmer Homes Scheme has delivered a greater volume of deeper and more complex upgrades. This is reflected in the average cost of upgrades which have seen an almost tenfold increase from €2,600 in 2015 to just under €25,000 in 2023. These deeper upgrades mean that more lower income homeowners are benefitting significantly from warmer, healthier and more comfortable homes, with lower energy bills and reduced emissions.

The year of build requirement is in place because homes constructed in recent years since 2006 should generally be more energy efficient than those built before then due to energy performance requirements of the 2003 Building Regulations. The scheme targets support to those most in need and living in the least efficient homes so that the resources available can have the greatest impact on homes in or at risk of energy poverty. The scheme criteria are kept under ongoing review by my Department, SEAI and DSP. There are no current plans to change the eligibility criteria for the scheme.

Households who do not meet the qualifying criteria for free upgrades under the Warmer Homes Scheme can apply for part funded grants towards the cost of an upgrade for their home. Further details on the grants available can be found on the SEAI website: www.seai.ie/grants/home-energy-grants.

In particular, a special enhanced grant rate is available for attic insulation and cavity wall insulation for all households. These are highly cost-effective upgrade measures that can be deployed rapidly and at scale and can be an enduring response to the challenge of higher energy prices for homeowners. The grant offering is available across all part-funded schemes but is particularly focused towards applicants to the Better Energy Homes Scheme which is aimed at homeowners who prefer to install energy efficiency upgrades in a step-wise approach rather than undertake a deep retrofit.

The Deputy may wish to note that Government also has other schemes and supports in place which may be of assistance where there is an urgent need.

The Department of Social Protection's Additional Needs Payment is a payment available to people who have essential expenses that they cannot pay from their weekly income. Additional Needs Payments are paid under Supplementary Welfare Allowance which is administered by the Community Welfare Service (CWS) or the Department of Social Protection. Details are available here: www.gov.ie/en/service/4eb45-additional-needs-payment/.

The Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage's Housing Adaptation Grants can assist older people to have necessary adaptations, repairs or improvement works carried out in order to make their accommodation more suitable for their needs. Details are available here: www.gov.ie/en/service/6636c-housing-adaptation-grants-for-older-people-and-people-with-a-disability/.