Written answers
Wednesday, 4 March 2026
Department of Environment, Community and Local Government
Departmental Schemes
Ciarán Ahern (Dublin South West, Labour)
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11. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government the reason the SEAI does not consider the bereaved partner’s (contributory) pension a qualifying welfare payment for the warmer homes scheme; his views that this excludes many single people from eligibility for the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17397/26]
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 the carbon tax receipts and the European Regional Development Fund.
The Warmer Homes Scheme is available to owner-occupied properties, based on the householder being in receipt of certain Department of Social Protection (DSP) income supports. The scheme targets support to those on the lowest incomes who are living in the least efficient homes so that the resources available can have the greatest impact in addressing energy poverty.
The eligible DSP payments are:
- Fuel Allowance;
- Job Seeker’s Allowance for more than 6 months with a child under 7;
- Working Family Payment (previously the Family Income Supplement);
- One Parent Family Payment;
- Domiciliary Care Allowance;
- Carer’s Allowance (where you live with the person you are caring for); and
- Disability Allowance for more than 6 months with a child under 7.
The scheme eligibility criteria are kept under ongoing review by my Department, together with the DSP, to ensure they are consistent with, and complementary to, the income support schemes offered.
The Government also has other schemes and supports in place which may be of assistance where there is an urgent need:
- The DSP's Additional Needs Payment is a payment available to people who have essential expenses that they cannot pay from their weekly income. Additional Needs Payments are paid under Supplementary Welfare Allowance which is administered by the Community Welfare Service or the Department of Social Protection. Details are available at: www.gov.ie/en/service/4eb45-additional-needs-payment/.
- The Housing Aid for Older People Scheme is available to assist older people living in poor housing conditions to have necessary repairs or improvements carried out. The scheme is administered by Local Authorities. Details are available at: www.gov.ie/en/service/1ca60-housing-aid-for-older-people-grant/.
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