Brian Stanley (Laois-Offaly, Sinn Fein)
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To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will request the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland to reopen the warmer homes scheme application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Mayo. [50322/12]

Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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Better Energy: Warmer Homes delivers a range of energy efficiency measures to households that are vulnerable to energy poverty. The scheme is managed by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) and delivered through a combination of SEAI appointed Community Based Organisations (CBOs), augmented by a panel of private contractors in order to ensure national coverage.

In order to deliver Better Energy: Warmer Homes upgrades, the SEAI contacts the relevant homeowner to arrange for a survey to be completed so that the extent of the upgrades can be assessed and quantified. Unfortunately, the SEAI was unable to contact the homeowner by telephone to arrange the survey despite numerous attempts to do so. In such cases, the SEAI issues a letter requesting the homeowner to make contact within 15 days so that they can arrange a survey or cancel the application if services are no longer required. Where the homeowner does not make contact within 15 days, the SEAI proceed with cancelling the application and issue a cancellation letter to the homeowner. While a letter was issued to the homeowner, given the specific circumstances in this case, the SEAI has confirmed that they will make contact with the homeowner with a view to delivery in 2012.

Queries in relation to individual applications are an operational matter for the SEAI and a dedicated hot line can be reached at 1800 250 204. In addition, the SEAI has established a specific email address for queries from Oireachtas members, which can be sent to and will be dealt with promptly.