Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 20 September 2017
573. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the complaint resolution mechanisms that are in place when a Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland, SEAI, registered contractor fails to complete work to a satisfactory standard. [39463/17]
View answerThe Better Energy Homes Scheme is administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) on behalf of my Department. The scheme supports private homeowners who wish to improve the energy performance of their home. Fixed grants are provided towards the cost of a range of measures including attic insulation, wall insulation, heating system upgrades, solar thermal panels and accompanying Building Energy Rating (BER). Since the scheme’s launch, some 200,000 homes have received an SEAI grant for energy efficiency improvements.
SEAI maintains a register of contractors who are authorised to undertake works under the Better Energy scheme. Each contractor on the register is required to undertake all works for which grant support is payable in accordance with the technical specifications of the scheme, demonstrate their tax compliance and insurance cover and cooperate with the scheme's Quality Assurance (QA) programme.
The QA programme has been designed by SEAI to maintain high standards of contractor workmanship; build consumer confidence; monitor health and safety; and ensure proper governance of the spending of public money. Regular inspections of works are undertaken on a risk-based approach in accordance with international best practice. When sub-standard works are found, contractors are required to rectify the works to the satisfaction of the inspector, at no cost to the home-owner.
These inspections are performed by independent experts, who were procured by SEAI following an extensive public tendering process in accordance with EU and Irish public procurement rules. Over the past year, these inspectors have completed 3,400 home inspections.
SEAI deal with all complaints received appropriately and this informs the risk-based approach to inspections. The case by case review of any complaints may inform desk based investigations and/or site visits where deemed appropriate.
If a householder has a dispute with a contractor regarding non-SEAI related work, that is a civil dispute between the householder and contractor and one in which SEAI does not play a role.
