Michael Cahill (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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218. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government if an SEAI application for a person (details supplied) will be expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39250/25]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail)
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The Warmer Homes Scheme aims to improve the energy efficiency and warmth of homes owned by people at risk of energy poverty by providing fully-funded retrofits. The scheme is operated by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) on behalf of my Department and is funded through carbon tax receipts and the European Regional Development Fund.

As Minister, I have no function in relation to individual applications. Applicants can contact the SEAI at any time to get further information on the status of their application either by email to warmerhomes@seai.ie or by phone to 1800 250 204. Oireachtas members can make queries on behalf of applicants by contacting the dedicated email address oireachtas@seai.ie.

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/.

My officials continue to work with the SEAI to maximise and accelerate the output of free energy upgrades provided under this important scheme.