Micheál Carrigy (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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36. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government the date on which the Government-approved scheme to provide free 2kWp solar PV systems to Priority Services Register (PSR) households was formally approved; the date on which ESB Networks and energy suppliers were instructed to begin notifications to eligible households; the number of households notified to date; and the number of installations completed under the scheme. [67824/25]

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 such as dialysis machines and respirators.

The scheme comprises of a fully funded 2 kWp 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. It is important to note that suppliers, who manage the administrative aspects of the scheme under the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI), issue offers to eligible homeowners in batches.

Most energy suppliers have agreed to provide the scheme for their customers, with some suppliers more advanced in their programme than others. The SEAI report that 137 systems were installed in 2024. However, with the programme now ramping up, 239 systems have been installed so far in 2025, with a further 250 applications currently in progress across various stages, ranging from committed applications to booked installations and ongoing works, among the 4 suppliers currently participating in the scheme.

The Solar PV for the Medically Vulnerable Scheme was designed in 2022 using the Households/MPRNs on the Life Support Category of the Priority Services Register as maintained by ESB Networks at that time. The scheme became operational in February 2023 when suppliers were invited to participate.

Due to the strong uptake and the positive impact already observed in over 470 homes, the scheme is now in the process of being extended to include as eligible all homeowners who are registered under the life support category of the Priority Services Register with their energy supplier, regardless of when they were registered.

Energy suppliers will communicate this update to eligible customers in the coming weeks, as the eligibility criteria are revised, and qualifying homeowners are identified to benefit from the scheme.

Micheál Carrigy (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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37. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government to establish a retrospective or exceptional circumstances mechanism to provide reimbursement or partial compensation to Priority Services Register households who installed solar PV systems at their own expense before receiving notification of their eligibility for the free Government-funded scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [67825/25]

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 such as dialysis machines or respirators. As a result, 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 Solar PV for the Medically Vulnerable Scheme was designed in 2022 using the Households/MPRNs on the Life Support Category of the Priority Services Register as maintained by ESB Networks at that time. The scheme became operational in February 2023 when suppliers were invited to participate. The scheme is operated by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) in conjunction with energy suppliers, with each energy supplier contacting their own eligible customers directly in line with the work plans for their solar PV installers. Eligible households can avail of a fully funded 2 kWp solar PV system including survey/design, supply, installation, and the post works BER.

The scheme is not designed to be retrospective and is to supply a new installation to a property that did not previously have solar PV, directly installed. There is no mechanism to provide payments to homeowners under this scheme.