Louise O'Reilly (Dublin Fingal West, Sinn Fein)
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218. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he is aware of the solar panel scheme for medically vulnerable persons; if he understands that persons added to the medically vulnerable register after the cut-off date cannot apply for membership of the scheme; if he will provide details of any similar scheme that might be applicable for persons added to the register post-22 November 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12319/25]

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 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 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 as an initial pilot programme, 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 my Department in designing and obtaining funding for further similar schemes, which may include expanding the scope of the scheme services or the targeted group of households.

My Department is also currently assessing the existing scheme eligibility and delivery criteria, to ensure the most effective and efficient roll-out of Solar PV solutions to vulnerable customers within the overall budgetary parameters.