Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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53. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he will engage with the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland in respect of its refusal to pay a grant to a person who they approved for grant aid in respect of a roof solar installation (details supplied); and the steps that the applicant may take in respect of an appeal and or a complaint. [53674/22]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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The Solar PV Scheme is funded by my Department and administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI). As per the terms of the scheme, to which the applicant agrees when applying, the grant is offered subject to the final system installation meeting the requirements of the Code of Practice for the Solar PV Scheme.

This Code of Practice includes minimum performance criteria for the technology used, which are clearly outlined in Sections 4.2 and 4.3 and all registered solar Installation companies are aware of this. The minimum performance and certification criteria for components exists in the best interest of homeowners, ensuring they get the best possible product, which lasts its design lifetime, performs optimally and limits quality issues in the future.

Solar installation companies are also registered with SEAI to ensure tax and insurance compliance, and their commitment to installing the works in accordance with the SEAI Domestic Technical Standards and Specification (DTSS) and adherence to the Code of Practice and Quality Assurance and Disciplinary Procedures (QADP).

A homeowner is free to choose and engage in a contract with any of the companies registered for the scheme, which provides them with the opportunity to compare prices and system installations that best suit their needs.

Upon completion of an installation, the solar company signs a Declaration of Works (DOW) attesting that the system installed is in accordance with the code of Practice. Where SEAI identifies that this is not the case; then such companies are at risk of being deregistered from the scheme.

Pauline Tully (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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54. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the reason that persons in receipt of the household benefits package are not automatically eligible for a Sustainable Energy Authority Ireland fully-funded energy upgrade; if he will consider a review of the grant to ensure that persons receiving this payment automatically qualify; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53700/22]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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The Warmer Homes Scheme offers free energy upgrades for eligible homeowners who are most at risk of energy poverty. Eligibility for the Scheme is linked to receipt of certain Department of Social Protection payments.

The Household Benefits Package (HBP) helps with the cost of a household's electricity or gas bill and their TV licence. The package is available to everyone over 70. It is not means tested for this group and is therefore not a qualifying payment for the Warmer Home Scheme.

People aged between 66 and 70 may also get the HBP, if they meet the necessary conditions. People who are under 66 and get Disability Allowance, Invalidity Pension, Blind Pension. or Carer's Allowance (if you are living with the person you are caring for) may also be entitled to the HBP. These groups may also be eligible for the Fuel Allowance which is a qualifying payment for the Warmer Homes scheme.

Households who are not eligible for the Warmer Homes Scheme can apply for grants towards the cost of energy efficiency measures for their home. These include grants equivalent to 80% of the typical cost for attic and cavity wall insulation. In the case of a semi-detached home, the attic insulation grant is up to €1,300 and the cavity wall insulation grant is up to €1,200. These are highly cost-effective measures with a relatively short pay-back time.

All information is available on the SEAI website at www.seai.ie/grants/home-energy-grants/

David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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55. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he will allow those homeowners who avail of individual home energy upgrade grants, and are in management of their own upgrades, to include grant aid for windows and doors, as is the case of those using the one-stop-shop service; if not, the reason; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53716/22]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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Earlier this year, the Government approved a package of significantly improved supports to make it easier and more affordable for homeowners to undertake home energy upgrades, for warmer, healthier and more comfortable homes, with lower energy bills and lower emissions. The supports include a new National Home Energy Upgrade Scheme, offering increased grant levels of up to 50% of the cost of a typical B2 home energy upgrade with a heat pump (up from the previous level of 30-35%).

Many of the grant supports available under the new Scheme have also been aligned to other relevant schemes including the Better Energy Homes Scheme to support a step-by-step, self-managed approach to retrofit; and, the Community Energy Grant Scheme for homeowners that want to retrofit their homes as part of a community project.

Window and door replacements are available under the National Home Energy Upgrade Scheme, as well as under the Community Energy Grant scheme, as part of a whole house upgrade solution, as required, to achieve an energy efficient home to B2.

Replacement windows are considered on a case by case basis under the Better Energy Warmer Homes Scheme which delivers free upgrades to eligible homeowners in low income households vulnerable to energy poverty. Replacement doors are not included.

Window replacements are not supported as individual measures, outside of a complete home retrofit, and as such are not available under the Better Energy Homes Scheme.