Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 2 November 2011
242 Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will seek a review of a decision to withdraw grant approval under the home energy saving scheme in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath. [32211/11]
View answerThe Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) administers Better Energy on behalf of my Department. Queries in relation to individual applications are an operational matter for SEAI. The Better Energy programme has overseen the upgrade of almost 100,000 homes since commencement in May 2009. To ensure the transparent use and administration of Exchequer funding, SEAI are committed to delivering processes and systems which are clear and efficient and operate in a manner which is fair to all applicants. The scheme rules explicitly state that the grant offer, once accepted, remains valid for six months from the date of issue of Grant Offer notification . It is not possible to make exceptions as to do so would be to alter the terms of the scheme and create a precedent for any other parties who have found themselves ineligible. SEAI advises that a letter issued to the Deputy recently to advise him of the status of this application. Dedicated hotlines for specific queries in relation to applications are available (Better Energy: Warmer Homes hotline — 1800 250 204 and Better Energy: Homes hotline — 1850 927 000). All queries, from scheme applicants and public representatives, on delivery dates for individual households and/or funding arrangements are dealt with immediately. In addition, the SEAI has recently established a specific email address for queries from Members of the Oireachtas, which is oireachtas@seai.ie.
