Cian O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay North, Social Democrats)
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118.To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the guidance that is given to the SEAI in relation to building guidelines; if the SEAI has a complaints process to address case in which building guidelines have been breached; and if he will make a statement on the matter.[35154/24]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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My Department funds a number of grant schemes, administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) to support homeowners to improve the energy efficiency of their properties. The day to day management of the grant schemes including the quality assurance of individual registered contractors are operational matters for the SEAI.

I understand that contractors operating under any scheme supported by an SEAI grant are supported to carry out the works in line with the SEAI’s Contractor Code of Practice and Domestic Technical Standards and Specifications as well as best practice and technical guidance documents including:

• NSAI S.R. 54:2014 Code of practice for the energy efficient retrofit of dwellings

• Building Regulations Technical Guidance Documents

• The System Supplier/Product Manufacturer Guidelines

• Irish Agrément certificates

• Irish, British or European Standards Guides

These documents are available on the SEAI website: www.seai.ie/grants/supports-for-contractors/

In addition, contractors are required to demonstrate their tax compliance and insurance cover and cooperate with a scheme's Quality Assurance (QA) programme. The QA programme has been designed by SEAI to maintain high standards of contractor workmanship; build consumer confidence; monitor health and safety; and ensure proper governance of the spending of public money.

While SEAI does not guarantee or warranty a contractor or works, it does help provide the necessary assurances to homeowners that contractors are competent to do the work in question, are insured, are tax compliant and are using the method and materials certified by the National Standards Authority of Ireland (NSAI).

A Declaration of Works must be signed by both the homeowner and the contractor certifying completion of works. Post-works Building Energy Ratings are also carried out by independent BER assessors.

In addition, regular inspections of works, which can take place at pre-payment or post-payment stage, are undertaken by SEAI on a risk-based approach in accordance with international best practice. SEAI deals with all complaints received and this also informs the risk-based approach to inspections. When sub-standard works are found, contractors are required to rectify the works to the satisfaction of the inspector, at no cost to the homeowner.

As part of SEAI’s Code of Practice all contractors are required to resolve complaints. If a customer is not satisfied with the works completed, contractors must make every reasonable effort to resolve the complaint to the customer’s and SEAI’s satisfaction.

SEAI operate under a Customer Charter and a complaints and appeals procedure is in place. If after following this procedure an applicant is not satisfied with the outcome, they can ask the Office of the Ombudsman for an independent review of the complaint. Further details are available here: www.seai.ie/customer-charter