I propose to take Questions Nos. 61, 62 and 63 together.
The Better Energy Warmer Homes Scheme delivers free energy upgrades for eligible homeowners in low-income households who are most at risk of energy poverty. It is administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI). Since the start of the scheme in 2000, over 145,000 free upgrades have been supported by the scheme.
Delivering free energy upgrades to low-income households and reducing the waiting times on the Warmer Homes Scheme waiting list is a top priority for my Department and SEAI. In order to reduce this timeline to completion and target a monthly average of 400 completions this year, the following actions have already been taken:
- The budget, at €109 million, is nearly three times the 2021 outturn (€38 million) and funding has also been sought through the European Regional Development Fund;
- SEAI has been allocated additional staff for the Warmer Homes Scheme;
- SEAI is working to Increase contractor output through active contract engagement and management.
Data provided to my Department by the SEAI indicates that, for homes completed in 2022, the average cycle time from application to completion was 28 months. However, it is important to note that cycle times have been affected by COVID related issues. In addition, there are deeper measures being provided under the Scheme since 2018, which involve more substantive works.
Details of the number of homes awaiting works, as at the end of June, on the Better Energy Warmer Homes Scheme work programme is set out in the table below. This includes homes that are currently undergoing works; have been allocated to contractors for works; have completed an initial home survey and are awaiting allocation to a contractor or are awaiting the initial survey of their home. It is important to note that the SEAI received over 5,000 applications for the scheme to the end of June this year, compared with 2,874 for the whole of 2021. The improvements to this top priority Scheme introduced by Government and the increased public awareness following the launch of the new SEAI National Home Energy Upgrade Scheme together with the potential to reduce energy costs are driving demand and SEAI is ramping up delivery in response.
County
|
No. of Homes
|
Carlow
|
114
|
Cavan
|
95
|
Clare
|
193
|
Cork
|
1,014
|
Donegal
|
360
|
Dublin
|
2,697
|
Galway
|
535
|
Kerry
|
299
|
Kildare
|
355
|
Kilkenny
|
130
|
Laois
|
148
|
Leitrim
|
78
|
Limerick
|
348
|
Longford
|
70
|
Louth
|
187
|
Mayo
|
507
|
Meath
|
340
|
Monaghan
|
116
|
Offaly
|
197
|
Roscommon
|
173
|
Sligo
|
172
|
Tipperary
|
392
|
Waterford
|
206
|
Westmeath
|
170
|
Wexford
|
345
|
Wicklow
|
376
|
Total
|
9,617
|
The number of homes completed, by county, in the past five years is set out in the Table below.
Homes Completed
|
County
|
2018
|
2019
|
2020
|
2021
|
2022*
|
Carlow
|
63
|
67
|
11
|
25
|
14
|
Cavan
|
173
|
44
|
22
|
35
|
37
|
Clare
|
147
|
68
|
22
|
40
|
19
|
Cork
|
504
|
223
|
142
|
153
|
159
|
Donegal
|
587
|
162
|
87
|
116
|
87
|
Dublin
|
829
|
649
|
500
|
693
|
688
|
Galway
|
242
|
172
|
86
|
80
|
58
|
Kerry
|
329
|
84
|
55
|
53
|
74
|
Kildare
|
167
|
103
|
40
|
90
|
55
|
Kilkenny
|
73
|
59
|
20
|
37
|
17
|
Laois
|
95
|
63
|
11
|
21
|
5
|
Leitrim
|
58
|
41
|
17
|
23
|
31
|
Limerick
|
160
|
121
|
16
|
49
|
62
|
Longford
|
72
|
37
|
13
|
21
|
22
|
Louth
|
139
|
115
|
26
|
61
|
42
|
Mayo
|
214
|
195
|
68
|
64
|
64
|
Meath
|
124
|
90
|
60
|
81
|
80
|
Monaghan
|
100
|
42
|
14
|
24
|
21
|
Offaly
|
90
|
51
|
42
|
30
|
37
|
Roscommon
|
116
|
56
|
33
|
43
|
31
|
Sligo
|
105
|
59
|
27
|
35
|
22
|
Tipperary
|
144
|
84
|
22
|
49
|
43
|
Waterford
|
117
|
179
|
42
|
84
|
55
|
Westmeath
|
140
|
78
|
39
|
52
|
63
|
Wexford
|
317
|
178
|
74
|
110
|
58
|
Wicklow
|
113
|
118
|
31
|
55
|
45
|
Total
|
5,218
|
3,138
|
1,520
|
2,124
|
1,889
|
*to end of June 2022