Donna McGettigan (Clare, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

189. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the number of contracting companies that are currently contracted to carry out the works under the warmer homes scheme; if there are short-term plans to increase this number; and given the scheme currently does not speed up the process for homes who already have a BER, if there are any plans to change this. [11632/25]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Warmer Homes Scheme aims to improve the energy efficiency and warmth of homes owned by people in energy poverty by providing fully-funded retrofits. The scheme is operated by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) on behalf of my Department and is funded through carbon tax receipts and the European Regional Development Fund.

Last year saw a record spend of almost €230 million under the scheme. This resulted in 7,743 upgrades being provided to low-income households, a 31% increase on 2023. This year’s budget includes an allocation of €280 million for the Warmer Homes Scheme, representing an 11-fold increase on the 2020 expenditure figure.

The scheme has been delivering a greater number of deeper and more complex upgrades in recent years. This is reflected in the average cost of upgrades which has increased from €2,600 in 2015 to over €27,700 in 2024. While these deeper retrofits take longer to complete, significant reductions in the average waiting time have still been achieved. The average waiting time reduced from 26 months in 2022 to 18 months for homes with BER ratings of E, F and G in 2024. No other prioritisation takes place under the scheme.

The reduction in wait times follows a range of measures introduced by my Department and the SEAI including:

• The SEAI has been allocated additional staff for the Warmer Homes Scheme
• A significantly increased budget has been provided for the scheme
• The SEAI are working to increase contractor output through active contract engagement and management
• Actions are underway to address ongoing supply chain and inflationary pressures

Donna McGettigan (Clare, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

190. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the number of homes in Clare having had work completed under the warmer homes scheme; and the breakdown of the average cost per home or data on the type of work carried out.; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11633/25]

Donna McGettigan (Clare, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

191. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the number of homes in Clare at each of the stages as described in scheme guidelines (details supplied). [11634/25]

Donna McGettigan (Clare, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

192. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the number of homes in Clare that have applied for the warmer homes scheme since its inception, and in each of the years 2022 to 2024,in tabular form; to outline, of these homes considered ineligible, whether there is a breakdown of the reasons for this; and the measures the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland proposes for these homes in Clare as well as those that have been deemed ineligible due to being older than 1940. [11635/25]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 190 to 192, inclusive, together.

The Warmer Homes Scheme aims to improve the energy efficiency and warmth of homes owned by people in energy poverty by providing fully-funded retrofits. The scheme is operated by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) on behalf of my Department and is funded through carbon tax receipts and the European Regional Development Fund.

Last year saw a record spend of almost €230 million under the scheme. This resulted in 7,743 upgrades being provided to low-income households, a 31% increase on 2023. This year’s budget includes an allocation of €280 million for the Warmer Homes Scheme, representing an 11-fold increase on the 2020 expenditure figure.

A range of upgrades are recommended for each eligible property depending on the characteristics of the home and the suitability of the works available based on a technical survey of the home. Upgrades offered under the scheme may include:

• Attic insulation
• Cavity wall insulation
• External wall insulation
• Internal wall insulation
• Secondary work such as lagging jackets, draught proofing and energy efficient lighting
• Renewable heating systems and windows are occasionally recommended

• The homeowner did not want the works to go ahead (e.g. did not want ventilation installed so insulation could not be installed)
• No works were possible under the scheme:
  • It was a pre-1940s build and no wall insulation was possible in extensions, and the attic was already insulated
  • The dormer roof and walls were already insulated
  • The home was already insulated (had a higher BER rating) and insulation was already at the level targeted by the scheme
• The homeowner could not be contacted
• The dwelling was built and occupied in 2006 or later
• Other reasons such as access, and health and safety