Martin Kenny (Sligo-Leitrim, Sinn Fein)
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145. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government if he will conduct a review of the SEAI home energy grants as there are a number of issues for people applying for the grants in relation to the time it takes to get approval and complete the works; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30080/25]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail)
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My Department funds a number of grant schemes, administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI), to support homeowners improve the energy efficiency of their buildings. These schemes include grants for the fabric upgrade of buildings, as well as solar PV and heat pump installation.

The various SEAI residential and community energy efficiency upgrade schemes have different terms and conditions, including in relation to timeframes for the completion of works on the part-funded schemes. Details are as follows:

• The Better Energy Homes Scheme and Solar PV Scheme are both demand-led, part-funded schemes which require homeowners to procure their own contractor following grant approval from the SEAI (this approval process is instantaneous once all requirements for the SEAI grant application portal are met by applicants). Works must be completed within an 8-month period, starting from the date of grant approval.
• The National Home Energy Home Upgrade Scheme and Community Energy Grant Scheme are part-funded schemes where homeowners engage a registered One Stop Shop or Project Co-ordinator to manage the grant application process and oversee delivery of the retrofit on their behalf. Works must be completed under these schemes within 12 months
• Under the Better Energy Warmer Homes Scheme (WHS) applications are assessed on the basis of when they first apply to the SEAI. Homes with the worst Building Energy Ratings (E, F or G) are then prioritised for works. The requirement for a pre-works BER was introduced for applications made since February 2022. This was in order to allow the SEAI to prioritise the worst-performing homes and to gather more information about the impact of the upgrades being provided. The average wait times in Q1 2025 under the WHS scheme are as follows:
• from date of application to the pre-works BER assessment – 7 months;
• from application to home survey completed - 16 months; and
• from initial application to completion of works - 21 months for Priority 1 homes, and 22 months for Priority 2 homes.