Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail)
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My Department funds a number of grant schemes administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) to support homeowners improve the energy efficiency of their buildings, and to promote the adoption of renewable energy systems.

The part-funded schemes include:

• the National Home Energy Upgrade Scheme which is available for homeowners wishing to avail of the complete home energy upgrade service provided through the one stop shops;
• the Community Energy Grant Scheme for homeowners carrying out a deep retrofit as part of a community project; and
• the Better Energy Homes Scheme which allows homeowners take a step-by-step approach or self-manage their retrofit project.

Homes built and occupied pre-2011, and owned by private homeowners, non-corporate landlords and Approved Housing Bodies are eligible for these funded schemes.

There are also fully funded upgrades for certain qualifying households.

These schemes provide an unprecedented opportunity for people all over Ireland to upgrade to a warmer, healthier and more comfortable home, with lower energy bills.

In line with the respective terms and conditions of the various SEAI energy efficiency schemes, a key requirement for eligibility for grant-aided retrofit measures is that these works are carried out by SEAI registered contractors. This helps provide the necessary assurances to homeowners that contractors are competent to do the work in question, are: insured; tax compliant; using the method and materials certified by the National Standards Authority of Ireland;, and commit to undertake all works in accordance with the SEAI’s technical specifications.

The SEAI’s National Home Energy Upgrade Scheme provides a whole-house energy upgrade solution through the 24 registered One Stop Shops (OSSs), including surveying; designing the upgrades; managing the grant process; helping with access to finance; engaging contractors; and quality assurance. Registered OSSs are required to ensure that their contractors are competent and/or registered with the SEAI as required to carry out the grant-aided measures under the relevant grant schemes, and in compliance with all SEAI requirements for such contractors.

Full details of the range of home energy grant schemes and supports are outlined on the SEAI website at www.seai.ie/grants/home-energy-grants/