Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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7. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he will provide an update on the solar PV for the medically vulnerable scheme; if he intends to continue this scheme to benefit new households on the medical priority register; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10066/25]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail)
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The Solar PV for the Medically Vulnerable Scheme is a targeted scheme for installing solar photovoltaic (PV) panels for customers/households 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 a fully funded 2kWp solar PV system for eligible households. This includes survey/design, supply, installation, and the post works BER.

The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland are responsible for the scheme and they have informed me that in 2024 137 systems were installed. So far in 2025 over 160 systems (end feb) have been installed and the SEAI are estimating that 1,440 will be installed by the end 2025 with a budget of €8.6m.

The roll out of the scheme is 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.

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 program.