I was on the pilot scheme.
Overall happy with the outcome.
I paid 5300 for 11 DG windows with eglass and argon.
I paid 2500 for cavity wall insulation (EcoPearl by Gilmartin group) + blown rockwool by them as well in the attic. The house is 2200 sq ft detached by the way.
I claimed 2000 euro back, which is the ceiling amount, or 30% of your costs, whichever is less.
Pros:
2k back.
Using reputable firms that presumably want to stay in the scheme so expect good followup and aftercare (I feared cowboys as regards the insulation, as it would be easy to scam pumping a wall).
DG windows went in without any problem whatsoever - great contractor.
My contacts in SEI and their agents pushed to get it done as much as possible but were hidebound by others in charge, and the fact it was a pilot meant teething probs.
Incidentally the house is way warmer now.
Cons
Dragged on longer than it should in terms of paperwork and getting started.
Had to do a fair bit of chasing.
Started later than scheduled and caused me some problems due to family events, was not ideal but we worked round it.
Not happy with aftercare by one of the contractors, issue was found and is ongoing, and will be escalated to SEI probably tomorrow. Hope they can put the pressure on as IMO it is not acceptable to be on such a scheme and have zero aftercare.
Grant itself not paid yet but expected this week.
BER survey was box ticking exercise which told me nothing new and cost me 100 and was mandatory.
On the pilot I had no choice on the providers, could have got same windows about 200 cheaper ( I had to haggle hard to get him down to 5300). So with the BER and that, my effective grant was 1700. Better than nowt tho.
No choice in the type of insulation being pumped in or blown in attic.
Choices should be better in the actual scheme.
Overall it was a bit of a stress as I was never sure it would all come together, and meantime I was losing time and winter was upon us.
Great to get grants for bread and butter items that most people would be interested in (instead of solar / wood pellet which I wasnt interested in - not to go off topic).
Glad I did it but took a lot of time and energy to chase. If it hadnt come together I'd be raging.
Hope this helps.