Paul McAuliffe (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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47. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his plans for an expansion of the SEAI better energy warmer homes scheme; his plans to allow persons that have availed of the scheme to be eligible again.; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30081/20]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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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. The aim of the scheme is to deliver efficiency measures in a way which represents the best possible use of Exchequer funding.

To date over 142,000 homes have received free upgrades under the scheme, leaving the occupants better able to afford to heat their homes to an adequate level. The Warmer Homes Scheme budget allocation for 2020 is €52.8 million - a record level of funding for this scheme.

The Climate Action Plan includes a commitment to review ways to improve how current energy poverty schemes target those most in need. Recommendations in relation to the implementation of changes to the scheme including the issue of repeat upgrade visits will be finalised shortly.

I will outline 2021 funding for the scheme following the Budget.