Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 3 February 2021
47. Deputy Francis Noel Duffy asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he has considered expanding the criteria for free home energy grants to those who are not eligible for the fuel allowance or other assistance but unable to pay for the upgrade; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5265/21]
View answerThe Better Energy Warmer Homes Scheme is funded by my Department and administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI). The scheme delivers a range of energy efficiency measures free of charge to low income households vulnerable to energy poverty. To date over 142,000 homes have received free upgrades under the scheme, leaving the occupants better able to afford to heat their homes to an adequate level. Budget 2021 provided €109 million in capital funding to support lower income households to retrofit their homes with €100 million of this funding allocated to the Warmer Homes Scheme. This represents a €47 million increase on the 2020 allocation and is the highest ever budget for this scheme. The scheme is currently available to households in receipt of:
- Fuel allowance under the National Fuel Scheme;
- Job Seekers Allowance for more than six months (and having children under 7);
- Family Income Supplement;
- One-Parent Family Payment;
- Domiciliary Care Allowance;
- Carer’s Allowance where you live with the person you are caring for.
The eligibility criteria for the scheme were selected in order to maximise the impact of the resources available to the scheme. They are kept under ongoing review with the Department of Social Protection (DSP) to ensure they are consistent with and complementary to the other income support schemes offered by that Department. It is important to note that households in receipt of other DSP allowances may also qualify for a fuel allowance payment. The fuel allowance is means tested and is therefore aligned to the income of the household.
Funding is also available for people who do not qualify for the Warmer Homes scheme. Budget 2021 provided €112.5 million in capital funding for the other SEAI residential and community retrofit programmes. These schemes can cover a portion of the cost of energy upgrades.
My Department is engaging with the relevant Government Departments and agencies in relation to measures that could further reduce the financing cost of retrofit for homeowners. There is also engagement with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform on funding requirements as part of the NDP review.
The Deputy may wish to note that there are other grants and schemes available from Government if there is an urgent need. These include the Department of Social Protection Urgent Needs Payment available through the Community Welfare Service at local DSP offices and the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage Aid for Older People Grant Scheme which is administered by the Local Authorities.
