Kieran O'Donnell (Limerick City, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The main reason I bring up this issue is that there is a new national retrofit scheme to be announced shortly by Government. Currently, there are three schemes available. There is the better energy warmer homes scheme, which is a free scheme that applies to people who qualify under a range of social welfare headings. It has been in place since 2009 but has changed over that time. In 2009, attic insulation and cavity walls were the main ones that applied. In 2018, that was extended to include internal and external wall insulation and replacement of windows from single to double glazing. The problem is that if you applied at any time from 2009 on, let us say 2010, and qualified under the scheme, you would not have got the double-glazed windows. However, your neighbour could apply today and qualify for the replacement windows as well as the internal and external wall insulation. That is an anomalous system and needs to be changed. We must ensure people can apply under the better energy warmer homes scheme more than once.

There are two other sister schemes, which are grant-based. They are the better energy homes scheme and the one-stop shop scheme. In those cases, you get a grant and can apply on a number of occasions on the basis you have not claimed under a certain heading. The better energy homes scheme is where you get the contract yourself, whereas under the one-stop shop scheme, the State will arrange for the contractor. Under that scheme, you can apply for ventilation as well. Under both of those schemes, you can get solar panels, which are not available under the better energy warmer homes scheme, which is the free scheme and which is also taking up to 18 to 24 months.

I ask for a commitment that, under the new national retrofit scheme to be announced shortly, the better energy warmer home scheme, which is a free scheme for people on social welfare in specific areas, would allow them to apply more than once and be extended to include solar panels and ventilation, which is very important with Covid. The waiting time at the moment is 18 to 24 months. There should be consistency between schemes. This scheme has evolved over time and there is an anomaly where someone who applied at any time up to 2018 was not eligible for internal or external cavity walls for insulation and did not qualify for replacement windows. That is an issue in terms of combating fuel poverty, dealing with climate change and emissions reduction. We must ensure this scheme is amended. I seek a commitment that will happen.

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