Martin Daly (Roscommon-Galway, Fianna Fail)
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180. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if the targeted solar PV scheme for medically vulnerable persons is currently in operation; if he will provide details on the implementation status and any recent updates on the scheme; and if, given the recent devastating impact of Storm Éowyn, the roll-out be expedited to ensure that medically vulnerable patients have a reliable power supply for their medical devices, such as dialysis machines, respirators, hospital beds, mobility supports, and vacuum pumps. [11390/25]

Martin Daly (Roscommon-Galway, Fianna Fail)
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181. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the number of solar panels that were installed in 2024; and the target for 2025 with regards to the medically vulnerable scheme. [11391/25]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 180 and 181 together.

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 is operated by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) in conjunction with Energy Suppliers and began operating in 2023 on a pilot basis, with limited funding allocated based on the list of eligible households as of November 2022. Eligible households can avail of a fully funded 2kWp solar PV system, including survey/design, supply, installation, and the post works BER. Each Energy Supplier is responsible for contacting their own eligible customers directly, in line with the work plans for their Solar PV Installers. Most Energy Suppliers have agreed to provide the scheme for their customers, with some Suppliers more advanced in their programme than others. SEAI report that 137 systems were installed in 2024. However, with the programme now ramping up, 83 systems have been installed in the first two months of 2025, with a further 100 installations in progress with SEAI estimating that over 1,440 will be installed by the end of 2025.

Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, Solidarity)
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182. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he is aware of the case of homeowners (details supplied) who have come into dispute with a contractor, hired by the SEAI as part of the warmer home upgrade, with their warmer homes upgrade now being under threat; if he will instruct his Department to investigate this and similar disputes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11457/25]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail)
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The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) operates the Warmer Homes Scheme on behalf of my Department. Individual applications to the Warmer Homes Scheme are an operational matter for the SEAI and, as Minister, I have no role in such matters. The SEAI has established a dedicated email address for queries from Oireachtas members so that such queries can be addressed promptly. The email address is oireachtas@seai.ie. Applicants can also contact SEAI at any time to get further information on the status of their application either by email to warmerhomes@seai.ie or by telephone to 01 808 2005.

The SEAI operate under a Customer Charter, with a complaints and appeals procedure. My officials work with the SEAI on an ongoing basis and I understand that the SEAI has been in contact with the homeowner and the issues raised are currently being considered in line with the Customer Charter.

If, after following this procedure, the homeowner 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/