Jennifer Whitmore (Wicklow, Social Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context

242. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government the number of homes completed under the better energy warmer homes scheme work programme; the average cost per home since 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30048/25]

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

The Warmer Homes Scheme aims to improve the energy efficiency and warmth of homes owned by people at risk of 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 the carbon tax receipts and the European Regional Development Fund.

Last year saw a record spend of almost €230 million under the scheme. As reported by the SEAI, this resulted in 7,743 upgrades being provided to low-income households. Approximately 165,000 homes have been upgraded under the Warmer Homes Scheme since 2000. In Q1 of 2025, 1,350 homes were upgraded under the scheme.

This year’s budget includes an allocation of €280 million for the Warmer Homes Scheme. Increased budgets have allowed the scheme to deliver a greater number of deeper and more complex upgrades in recent years. This is reflected in the average cost of upgrades which the SEAI indicates has increased from €2,600 in 2015 to just under €29,000 in 2025. These deeper upgrades mean that more lower income homeowners are benefitting significantly from warmer, healthier and more comfortable homes.

The table below sets out the average cost of upgrades under the scheme in each of the years 2015-2025 (year to date).

Jennifer Whitmore (Wicklow, Social Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context

243. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government the estimated cost of expanding the eligibility criteria of the better energy warmer homes scheme to include people with chronic respiratory conditions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30049/25]

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

The Warmer Homes Scheme aims to improve the energy efficiency and warmth of homes owned by people at risk of 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 the 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. This represents an 11-fold increase on the 2020 expenditure figure.

The Warmer Homes Scheme is available to owner-occupied properties, based on the householder being in receipt of certain Department of Social Protection income supports. The scheme targets support to those on the lowest incomes who are living in the least efficient homes so that the resources available can have the greatest impact in addressing energy poverty. The scheme eligibility criteria are kept under ongoing review by my Department, together with the Department of Social Protection, to ensure they are consistent with, and complementary to, the income support schemes offered.

The average cost of a home upgrade under the scheme in Q1 2025 was just under €29,000. It is not possible to estimate the cost of extending the Warmer Homes Scheme to households where someone is living with a chronic respiratory conditions without information on the number of people with chronic respiratory conditions whose homes would be suitable for works and information on the age, size, type and condition of these properties.