Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

91. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he will extend the eligibility of the warmer homes scheme to homes that commenced the construction phase in 2006 but were not occupied until 2007 particularly in cases in which the BER assessment indicates a poor energy rating of the property; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44514/22]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Better Energy Warmer Homes Scheme delivers free energy upgrades for eligible homeowners that are most at risk of energy poverty. The scheme is administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) and since 2000, over 145,000 free upgrades have been supported.

The budget allocation of €109 million for the scheme this year has led to a doubling of the number of free retrofits for fuel poor homes provided each month.

The eligibility criteria for the scheme includes requirements that:

- Applicants must own and live in their own home; 

- Must be in receipt of certain Department of Social Welfare payments;

- The home must be built and occupied before 2006.

The year of build requirement is in place because homes constructed since 2006 are generally more energy efficient than those built before then due to energy performance requirements of the 2003 Building Regulations. There are no plans to change the eligibility criteria for the Better Energy Warmer Homes Scheme.