Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the reasons an insulation grant was refused by Sustainable Energy Ireland to a person (details supplied) in County Limerick. [10550/13]

Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) administers the Better Energy Warmer Homes scheme under the Better Energy Programme. The Better Energy Warmer Homes scheme delivers a range of energy efficiency measures to households that are vulnerable to energy poverty. The scheme is delivered through a combination of SEAI appointed Community Based Organisations (CBOs), augmented by a panel of private contractors in order to ensure national coverage and via an area based approach. Measures available include draught proofing, attic insulation, lagging jackets for hot water tanks, low energy light bulbs and cavity wall insulation and are free of charge to the customer. My Department has been informed by the SEAI that a surveyor was allocated to the home in question but the homeowner was not able to provide proof of eligibility for the scheme at the time. The scheme is available to homes which meet the following criteria:

- Owner occupied non-Local Authority homes

- Constructed before 2002

- The owner is in receipt of one of the following: Fuel Allowance as part of the National Fuel Scheme; Job Seekers Allowance for over six months and with children under seven years of age; or Family Income support.

If the homeowner is eligible for the scheme they would be welcome to reapply. However, the homeowner will need to provide proof of eligibility. Queries in relation to individual applications are an operational matter for the SEAI and a dedicated hotline 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 toand will be dealt with promptly.