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Environmental Schemes

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 24 February 2022

Thursday, 24 February 2022

Questions (176)

Denis Naughten

Question:

176. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will amend the warmer homes scheme to include carers benefit as an eligible payment given that a report (details supplied) estimates that households with a disabled person have an additional average spend of €9,027 per annum; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10529/22]

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Written answers

The Better Energy Warmer Homes Scheme delivers free energy upgrades for eligible homeowners at risk of energy poverty.  Since 2000, over 143,000 free upgrades have been supported by the SEAI administered scheme.  Last year, 2,126 upgrades were delivered under the scheme and the average cost of the energy efficiency measures provided per household was €17,100.

The scheme aims to prioritise lower income households who are living in the worst performing homes. Eligible households must be in receipt of certain Department of Social Protection payments. These are mainly means tested payments such as the Fuel Allowance.

Eligibility has been extended in recent years to include more groups who are at risk of poverty and deprivation, such as unemployed households with young children, single parent families and people with disabilities.

The scheme is available to the following groups:

- Fuel Allowance as part of the National Fuel Scheme.

- Job Seekers Allowance for over six months and have a child under seven years of age

- Working Family Payment

- One-Parent Family Payment

- Domiciliary Care Allowance

- Carers Allowance and live with the person you are caring for

- Disability Allowance for over six months and have a child under seven years of age

I understand that households where a person is in receipt of the Carer’s Benefit may also meet the criteria for receipt of the Fuel Allowance. Applicants can confirm whether they are eligible for the Fuel Allowance by contacting the Department of Social Protection.

Other SEAI supports are available to all homeowners whose homes meet the eligibility criteria including:

- Increased grants covering up to 50% of the cost of a whole home upgrade under the National Home Energy Upgrade scheme;

- Increased grants for certain measures under the Better Energy Homes Scheme, for people taking a step by step or self managed approach to upgrades; and,

- A special enhanced grant rate, equivalent to 80% of the typical cost, for attic and cavity wall insulation to urgently reduce energy use and cost as part of the Government’s response to current exceptionally high energy prices.

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