Carol Nolan (Laois-Offaly, Independent)
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960. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he will consider including the blind pension and disability allowance as qualifying payments for entitlement to the warmer homes scheme in the same way as jobseeker's allowance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4557/20]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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The Better Energy Warmer Homes scheme is funded by my Department and administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI). The scheme delivers a range of energy efficiency measures free of charge to low income households vulnerable to energy poverty. In 2019, €39.8 million was allocated to the Scheme with over 3,000 homes upgraded.  An allocation of €52.8 million has been provided for the scheme; this represents the biggest ever budget for the Warmer Homes Scheme.

The Climate Action Plan commits to a review of the scheme which will include a decision on repeat upgrade visits as well as reviewing certain eligibility rules, approaches to compliance with new Building Regulations and how to best target those most in need.  This review is nearing completion.