Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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115. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the reason that obligated parties are being removed from the better energy scheme; if an assessment has been made regarding the potential consequences of a drop-off in applications for the better energy homes scheme; and if he is giving consideration to retaining the scheme as it is constituted presently, in view of the energy crisis that exists. [54572/22]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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Under the Better Energy Homes (BEH) scheme, Government offers grants to private homeowners who wish to take a step-by-step approach to improve the energy performance of their home. Under the scheme homeowners can:

- Apply themselves and have the grant refunded once works are complete;

- Apply themselves and have the grant paid to their contractor which can choose to offer them a discount upfront; or

- Apply through a registered Energy Partner which will carry out the works for the homeowner and pass on the grant savings as a discount on the works.

The Energy Efficiency Obligation Scheme (EEOS) places legal requirements on larger energy companies to help energy users save energy. The EEOS has been in place since 2014 and contributes significantly to the delivery of Ireland’s energy saving target under the Energy Efficiency Directive (EED). The EEOS has been redesigned in response to amendments to the Energy Efficiency Directive and climate priorities and was informed by an extensive public consultation and a detailed economic analysis. The new scheme will be introduced in January 2023.

Some of the registered Energy Partners operating under the BEH are also Obligated Parties with annual energy saving targets under the EEOS. Obligated parties have not been removed from the BEH scheme. However, should one or more of those companies decide themselves to discontinue their role as an Energy Partner, other Energy Partners remain on the list and continue to offer this service.