Robert O'Donoghue (Dublin Fingal West, Labour)
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219. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government if he will consider reviewing the eligibility criteria for the solar panel grant scheme administered by the SEAI, in light of concerns that the grant is only available through registered solar companies (details supplied); if, given that an individual with professional experience in solar installation, who is capable of sourcing compliant equipment and engaging a certified solar electrician, cannot currently access the grant without going through an approved installer—resulting in significantly higher costs to the homeowner—he will consider expanding grant eligibility to include self-managed installations that meet all regulatory standards; if any review of this policy is planned; the rationale behind limiting grant access solely to installations carried out by registered companies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29210/25]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail)
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The administration and management of applications for retrofit projects under Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) schemes are an operational matter for the SEAI. There are no plans to review the current eligibility criteria for registered installers under the domestic Solar PV scheme.

It is critically important that works supported by SEAI schemes are completed in line with the respective scheme terms and conditions including 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. Accordingly, a contractor or builder must meet the following criteria to be listed on SEAI's website:

Contractors must complete a SEAI Contractor Registration form and provide all necessary documents confirming competency for measures being registered for. Details can be found here: www.seai.ie/sites/default/files/publications/Domestic-Technical-Standards-and-Specifications.pdf.

Contractors must complete a Declaration of Insurance form and provide a valid Tax Clearance Certificate

Contractors must attend a mandatory Onboarding Training session held by SEAI. These sessions are held once a month and a Contractors activation on the SEAI website is dependent on attendance.

In order to remain SEAI registered, Contractors must remain insured at all times, tax compliant and carry out works to the standards set out in SEAI’s Domestic Technical Standards and Specifications (DTSS) document as well as NSAI’s S.R. 54:2014 – Code of practice for the energy efficient retrofit of dwellings.

SEAI has a number of controls in place, including a targeted, risk-based inspection approach to oversee the quality management of registered contractors, and this can include various sanctions up to and including de-registration. Furthermore, in 2023 SEAI set up a new quality team looking at how quality can be further optimised. SEAI also continuously reviews standards, specifications and registration requirements and engages with Educational Training Boards (ETB) regarding relevant courses and course content.

Michael Fitzmaurice (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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220. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government if the forthcoming RHO will deal with the liquid fuel and gas sectors separately given the fact that the liquid fuel sector will be in a position to deliver a higher obligation rate the gas sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29215/25]

Michael Fitzmaurice (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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221. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government in the preparation of the forthcoming RHO, has he considered the creation of a separate scheme for liquid fuels which could be combined with highly successful RTFO. [29216/25]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 220 and 221 together.

As part of the Government Decision (S180/20/10/2704) adopting sectoral emissions ceilings, it was agreed to introduce a Renewable Heat Obligation (RHO) to ensure the increased use of renewable fuel types across the full heating sector, with the primary aim of supporting the achievement of Ireland's heating and cooling targets at EU level.

Under current proposals, the RHO will obligate suppliers of all fossil fuels used for heating purposes to ensure a proportion of the energy they supply is renewable. As such, all renewable fuels used for heat that satisfy the sustainability criteria of the Renewable Energy Directive will be considered eligible for certification under the scheme.

The development of the RHO is a key priority for me and a draft RHO high-level scheme has now been finalised. As part of the scheme development process, and in consultation with industry and key stakeholders, an extensive examination of the heat sector and the potential cost and availability of renewable fuels to meet the obligation has been carried out.

My Department is now preparing the draft RHO Heads of Bill for submission to Government alongside the draft RHO high-level scheme, which will set out the introductory obligation rate across all fuel types in the first two years of the scheme. It is envisaged that a full review of scheme's performance, including in relation to the cost and availability of fuels to meet the obligation, will be carried out ahead of any rate increase.