William Aird (Laois, Fine Gael)
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262. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government the current waiting list for the warmer homes scheme in County Laois; how this compares to waiting lists in other counties; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30636/25]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail)
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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. This year’s budget includes an allocation of €280 million for the Warmer Homes Scheme.

These 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 Q1 of 2025. These deeper upgrades mean that more lower income homeowners are benefitting significantly from warmer, healthier and more comfortable homes. In Quarter 1 of 2025, 1,350 homes were upgraded under the scheme.

There are currently 289 homes in Laois on the work programme. These homes:

• are awaiting the initial survey of their homes;

• have completed an initial home survey and are awaiting allocation to a contractor;

• have been allocated to a contractor for works; or

• are currently undergoing works.

My Department continues to work with the SEAI to maximise and accelerate the output of free energy upgrades provided under this important scheme. The SEAI has established a specific email address for queries from Oireachtas members so that such queries can be addressed promptly. The email address is oireachtas@seai.ie.

The table below sets out the number of homes on the scheme work programme per county at end April 2025.