Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Social Democrats)
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254. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the options open to a person (details supplied) who has been refused an SEAI grant despite their home having been built in 2005; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39059/16]

Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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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 a financial incentive  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 Building Energy Rating (BER).

SEAI's policy is that to be eligible for grant aid, a home must be built and occupied before 2006. Homes built from this point onwards have been constructed to the 2003 Building Regulations and so should not require significant insulation or heating system upgrades. Proof of construction and occupancy is taken as the date the ESB meter is installed. These procedures are detailed in the Better Energy Homes Application Guide.

If an application were received that does not meet the criteria set out in the application guide, then SEAI have an appeals process that applicants can avail of. If a homeowner can provide sufficient evidence to prove that their home was built and finished in 2005, then SEAI have the authority to re-consider an application, provided that the homeowner meets all the other conditions of the scheme.

In general, I have no function in relation to individual grant applications and queries in relation to individual grant applications are an operational matter for the SEAI. A dedicated hotline to deal with questions about applications is available at 1800 250 204. In addition, the SEAI has established a specific email address for queries from Oireachtas members: oireachtas@seai.ie. Such queries will be dealt with promptly.