126. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the position regarding an application under the warmer homes scheme for an elderly person (details supplied); whether Budget 2025 will help address the backlog with such applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42244/24]

The Warmer Homes Scheme is a free energy upgrade scheme which aims to improve the energy efficiency and warmth of homes owned by people in or at risk of energy poverty. The scheme is operated by the Sustainable Authority of Ireland (SEAI) on behalf of the DECC and is funded through the Exchequer and the European Regional Development Fund.

Individual applications to the Warmer Homes Scheme are an operational matter for SEAI and as the Minister I have no function in relation to such applications. Applicants can contact SEAI at any time to get further information on the status of their application either by email to warmerhomes@seai.ie or by telephone to 01 808 2005. Oireachtas members can make queries on behalf of applicants by contacting the dedicated email address oireachtas@seai.ie.

My officials contacted the SEAI in relation to this case and have been informed that a survey has now been completed on the home and will be allocated to a contractor shortly.

In recent years, the Warmer Homes Scheme has delivered a greater volume of deeper and more complex upgrades. This is reflected in the average cost of upgrades which have seen an almost tenfold increase from €2,600 in 2015 to €26,464 in 2024.

These deeper upgrades mean that more lower income homeowners are benefitting significantly from warmer, healthier and more comfortable homes, with lower energy bills and reduced emissions. However, it is important to acknowledge that deeper retrofits take longer to complete.

The improvement in the upgrades provided under the scheme in tandem with increased awareness of the multiple benefits of retrofit are driving significantly increased levels of demand. Approximately 24,000 applications from homeowners were received in 2022 and 2023 combined.

Applications to the Scheme are assessed on the basis of when they first apply to SEAI. Homes with the worst Building Energy Ratings (E, F or G) are then prioritised for works. No other prioritisation takes place under the scheme.

Significant reductions in the average waiting time for works to be completed have been achieved this year, reducing from 26 months in 2022 to 17 months for the worst performing homes (rated E, F and G) for homes completed so far in 2024.

This scheme is a top priority for me and the Government. My officials continue to work with the SEAI to maximise and accelerate the output of free energy upgrades provided under this important scheme. Budget 2025 provides a record allocation of €240 million including funding from the ERDF. The budget represents a 10-fold increase over the spend on the Warmer Homes Scheme during the first year of this Government and will allow a continued expansion in delivery.