Pearse Doherty (Donegal South West, Sinn Fein)
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249. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the cost of altering the better homes scheme so as to reimburse the contractor rather than the household which had the work done, thereby assisting those on low incomes who have a lack of cash flow. [40963/15]

Alex White (Dublin South, Labour)
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The Better Energy Homes Scheme is administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) under the Better Energy Programme. Better Energy Homes provides grant aid to private homeowners who wish to improve the energy performance of their homes. Fixed grants are provided towards the cost of a range of measures including attic insulation, wall insulation, heating systems upgrades, solar thermal panels and accompanying BER.

My Department and the SEAI continue to monitor ways to improve the Better Energy Homes Scheme, while ensuring that the highest standards of governance and fiscal controls are maintained. Contractors are not permitted to apply for the grant on behalf of the home owner. However, it is open to the home owner to nominate the bank account they wish to receive payment of the grant, which may be the account of the contractor.

In addition, the SEAI has partnered with energy suppliers to provide additional support to home owners to access the Better Energy Homes though appointed service providers. These service providers undertake to carry out all the work associated with applying for a grant on behalf of the homeowner. This involves: applying on-line, submitting all required documentation and forms, submitting the grant payment request to the SEAI and receiving the grant payment directly into its bank account. The homeowner pays for the balance of the cost of the works directly to the relevant service provider.

In 2015 a Voice of the Customer process was initiated by SEAI. This allows homeowners to provide feedback directly to the SEAI on how to improve the Better Energy Homes scheme and associated processes. This feedback is being considered by the SEAI as part of its on-going work to improve the Better Energy Programme.