Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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99. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment why persons have been refused the medically vulnerable scheme for the needs of their daughter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44454/24]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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The Solar PV for the Medically Vulnerable Scheme is a targeted scheme for the installation of solar photovoltaic (PV) panels for customers/households who are registered on the life support category of the Priority Services Register. These homes have a dependence on electrically powered equipment, including medical equipment, life protecting devices and assistive technologies for example dialysis machines, respirators, etc. As such, these households may have a higher energy demand than the average user and this scheme is designed to go some way towards helping to reduce those energy costs.

The scheme comprises of a fully funded 2kWp solar PV system for eligible households. This includes survey/design, supply, installation, and the post works BER. The scheme is wholly managed by the registered Energy Suppliers, with each of the Energy Suppliers contacting their own eligible customers directly, in line with the work plans for their Solar PV Installers.

The Solar PV for the Medically Vulnerable scheme was designed in 2022, with a budget of €20m allocated to provide direct support to approximately 4,000 households who were on the priority register at that time. The date used to determine the number of households eligible for support under this scheme and the required budget, was November 2022. Given that the specific household mentioned in the Deputy’s question was not on the Register prior to November 2022, they are unfortunately not eligible for the current scheme.

Most Energy Suppliers have agreed to provide the scheme for their customers, with some Suppliers more advanced in their Programme than others. The experience and information gathered on this scheme will assist the department in designing and obtaining funding for further similar targeted schemes, which may include eligibility expanded to cover those that may not be eligible for the current programme.