Clare Daly (Dublin North, Socialist Party)
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Question 320: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the number of persons that have been granted the solar heating grant despite not meeting application deadlines set by SEAI because of extenuating circumstances. [25792/11]

Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) launched the Greener Homes Scheme in March 2006 to support homeowners who wished to install renewable heating technology in their homes. The technologies supported included Biomass, Heat Pumps and Solar Thermal systems.

The scheme closed for applications in May 2011 when solar thermal technology transitioned across to Better Energy: Homes. At that time, just over 29,500 applications for solar technology had been approved. The total number of appeals received from home owners, since the inception of the Scheme in 2006 is 641, which represents less than 2% of applications processed. Of these, 521 appeals were successful.

Under Better Energy: Homes applications can be made online and, for eligible homes, approval is immediate with the homeowner having six months to complete the required work and submit payment documentation. Grants are not paid in cases where the homeowner does not meet the terms and conditions of the scheme.

A further 2,100 solar grant applications have been approved since the launch of Better Energy in May. SEAI advises that it is not yet possible to identify how many applicants have been subsequently awarded a solar heating grant on appeal as the six month deadline for completion of works under the new arrangements has not yet expired. If the Deputy has details of a specific case she wishes to raise, I would suggest that the details are forwarded to the SEAI.