Séamus Healy (Tipperary South, Independent) | Oireachtas source

The increased grants under the housing adaptation for older persons scheme that came into effect from 1 December have considerably improved that scheme. However, another change in the scheme, which went under the radar until recently, is very unhelpful. That change is the abolition, for whatever reason, of the new boiler grant for older people. This decision makes absolutely no sense and is, in fact, counterproductive. New, modern boilers are much greener and much more efficient from an emissions point of view. The alternative for older people of an air-to-water system is cost-prohibitive. According to the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland installation, after grants, costs €9,000. The only practical alternative for older people is to continue with older, dirtier boilers or revert to solid fuel.

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